<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
This week\u2019s poem comes from Paul Spe\u00adra\u00adtus, who helped Martin Luther assemble the first Lutheran hymnal. It is long, but it nicely lays out the futility of works, the place of the Law, justification by faith alone and how works result from faith.<\/p>\n
SALVATION UNTO US HAS COME<\/span><\/p>\n Salvation unto us has come What God did in His law demand It was a false, misleading dream From sin our flesh could not abstain Yet as the Law must be fulfilled Since Christ hath full atonement made Let me not doubt, but trust in Thee, The Law reveals the guilt of sin Faith clings to Jesus\u2019 cross alone All blessing, honor, thanks, and praise –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 –\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Paul Spe\u00adra\u00adtus, 1523<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" This week\u2019s poem comes from Paul Spe\u00adra\u00adtus, who helped Martin Luther assemble the first Lutheran hymnal. It is long, but it nicely lays out the futility of works, the place of the Law, justification by faith alone and how works result from faith. SALVATION UNTO US HAS COME Salvation unto us has come By God\u2019s …<\/p>\n
\nBy God\u2019s free grace and favor;
\nGood works cannot avert our doom,
\nThey help and save us never.
\nFaith looks to Jesus Christ alone,
\nWho did for all the world atone;
\nHe is our one Redeemer.<\/p>\n
\nAnd none to Him could render
\nCaused wrath and woe on every hand
\nFor man, the vile offender.
\nOur flesh has not those pure desires
\nThe spirit of the Law requires,
\nAnd lost is our condition.<\/p>\n
\nThat God His Law had given
\nSo sinners could themselves redeem
\nAnd by their works gain Heaven.
\nThe Law is but a mirror bright
\nTo bring the inbred sin to light
\nThat lurks within our nature.<\/p>\n
\nSin held its sway unceasing;
\nThe task was useless and in vain,
\nOur guilt was e\u2019er increasing.
\nNone can remove sin\u2019s poisoned dart
\nOr purify our guileful heart\u2014
\nSo deep is our corruption.<\/p>\n
\nOr we must die despairing,
\nChrist came and hath God\u2019s anger stilled,
\nOur human nature sharing.
\nHe hath for us the Law obeyed
\nAnd thus the Father\u2019s vengeance stayed
\nWhich over us impended.<\/p>\n
\nAnd brought us to salvation,
\nEach Christian therefore may be glad
\nAnd build on this foundation.
\nThy grace alone, dear Lord, I plead,
\nThy death is now my life indeed,
\nFor Thou hast paid my ransom.<\/p>\n
\nThy Word cannot be broken;
\nThy call rings out, \u201cCome unto Me!\u201d
\nNo falsehood hast Thou spoken.
\nBaptized into Thy precious Name,
\nMy faith cannot be put to shame,
\nAnd I shall never perish.<\/p>\n
\nAnd makes men conscience-stricken;
\nThe Gospel then doth enter in
\nThe sinful soul to quicken.
\nCome to the cross, trust Christ, and live;
\nThe Law no peace can ever give,
\nNo comfort and no blessing.<\/p>\n
\nAnd rests in Him unceasing;
\nAnd by its fruits true faith is known,
\nWith love and hope increasing.
\nYet faith alone doth justify,
\nWorks serve thy neighbor and supply
\nThe proof that faith is living.<\/p>\n
\nTo Father, Son, and Spirit,
\nThe God that saved us by His grace\u2014
\nAll glory to His merit!
\nO Triune God in Heav\u2019n above,
\nWho hast revealed Thy saving love,
\nThy bless\u00e8d Name be hallowed.<\/p>\n