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PURE RELIGION AT CHRISTMAS – A POEM
“Love had a plan” I rediscovered this poem I had written, I believe with the Lord’s inspiration, many years ago. Be blessed by it! It could be used for witnessing.
Pure Religion at Christmas – by Ray E Horton
How could religion / be so very wrong,
To think it’s about / a sermon and song.
To think we can get / through heavenly gate,
But, when we die, / find it’s too late.
Hindus and Buddhists,/ Moslems and Jews,
And those some call Christians, / they haven’t a clue.
They think it’s about / the works that they do,
When it’s really about / knowing God, who is true.
He sees us, knows us, / He calls us to Him.
He’ll change, transform us, / in spite of our sin.
Receive the redemption / He won on the cross,
Accept forgiveness; / we’re no longer lost.
His love is so great / for you and for me;
Jesus came, died and rose / to set us all free.
We’re no longer slaves / to our flesh and our pride;
Made new in Jesus / when our self-life died.
It began in a garden / lost, ages ago,
When we wanted more / than just Him to know.
We noticed our sin, / then law made it worse;
We hid, toiled, rebelled, / were under the curse.
But Love had a plan / to bring us back home.
From the beginning, He said: / “You won’t be alone.”
He came as a baby, / defenseless and pure;
The temptations of life, / He had to endure.
All heaven rejoiced / that first Christmas day,
Salvation had come / by the only way.
A way not perceived / by the human mind;
Divine atonement / to save all mankind.
And yet we cry out / like He hadn’t come;
Or try by ourselves / to get it all done.
No! Religion is wrong; / it’s all by God’s grace.
Turn from sin; trust Him: / We’ll finish the race.
When we do, Oh glory! / He empowers us to
Live for His Kingdom. / He’s alive! It’s true!
Filled with His Spirit, / there’s no other way;
Draw near His presence, / and praise Him today.
When we fall, we run / straight back to His heart:
Forgiveness and power / to make a new start.
We focus on Jesus, / and not on our sin,
He has redeemed us. / He restores us again.
Jesus has taken / death, sickness and strife;
He’s the only way, / the truth and the life.
Man’s efforts all fail; / our good deeds in vain,
Till we know Him and love Him / and call on His Name.
His Spirit within us / gives reason to live.
Love Him and serve Him; / all people forgive;
Fulfilling our purpose, / our call in this life:
Reach out to people, / deliver from strife.
Heal widows and orphans / and those who can’t see,
The brokenhearted, / and set captives free.
Speaking His message / of new life this hour;
We’re strong in the Lord, / and His mighty power,
Praying and listening / with intimate love;
Encouraged and cleansed / by the Fire from above,
Directed in truth, / we walk out the plan,
Established for us / when the world began.
Meaning and purpose / in life is now ours;
No more defeated, / with unfruitful hours.
The Sun arisen; / new day is here.
We now serve our God, / Who always is near.
‘Fore God undefiled, our religion now pure,
Trusting in Jesus, our way is now sure.
Now loving all men, and speaking God’s Word.
Living the Gospel, His voice we have heard.
Look at the manger, the shepards, the star,
The wise men who came from lands that were far.
See baby Jesus, our Savior, who grew
And then shed His blood for me and for you.
He rose and now lives and dwells in our hearts;
Know who you are, He never departs:
Heirs of the Kingdom, to serve in this hour,
As new creations, we live in His pow’r.
Raymond E. Horton, Erie, PA December 21, 2008 – This poem may be freely distributed, but only in its entirety and with attribution to the author.
2 Tim 3:5 “having a form of godliness but denying its power…”
James 1:27 “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction …”
Eph 6:10 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”
2 Cor 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”
