What think you of Christ? is the test <br />To try both your state and your scheme; <br />You cannot be right in the rest, <br />Unless you think rightly of him. <br />As Jesus appears in your view, <br />As he is beloved or not; <br />So God is disposed to you, <br />And mercy or wrath are your lot. <br /> <br />Some take him a creature to be, <br />A man, or an angel at most; <br />Sure these have not feelings like me, <br />Nor know themselves wretched and lost: <br />So guilty, so helpless, am I, <br />I durst not confide in his blood, <br />Nor on his protection rely, <br />Unless I were sure he is God. <br /> <br />Some call him a Saviour, in word, <br />But mix their own works with his plan; <br />And hope he his help will afford, <br />When they have done all that they can: <br />If doings prove rather too light <br />(A little, they own, they may fail) <br />They purpose to make up full weight, <br />By casting his name in the scale. <br /> <br />Some style him the pearl of great price, <br />And say he's the fountain of joys; <br />Yet feed upon folly and vice, <br />And cleave to the world and its toys: <br />Like Judas, the Saviour they kiss, <br />And, while they salute him, betray; <br />Ah! what will profession like this <br />Avail in his terrible day? <br /> <br />If asked what of Jesus I think? <br />Though still my best thoughts are but poor; <br />I say, he's my meat and my drink, <br />My life, and my strength, and my store, <br />My Shepherd, my Husband, my Friend, <br />My Saviour from sin and from thrall; <br />My hope from beginning to end, <br />My Portion, my Lord, and my All.<br /><br />John Newton<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/what-think-ye-of-christ/
