The Love That Brought Christ
But was there any secret thirst for pleasure,
Or motive deeper than the eye could see —
Perchance the love for fame or greater treasure —
That brought the Christ from heaven's purity? There was but one
Pure motive grand — no shade of selfish reason —
Could save from sin, and bring the Christ in season
To bear the sins of men, and take sin's wages!
As "God so loved the world" — so did His Son! Did Jesus on the cross seek exaltation,
In bearing thorns, and cruel taunts, and shame?
Ah, they will read aright of His salvation,
Who read the secret in His saving name.
Give Jesus praise!
He saw earth's need, and heard the hopeless sighing;
And saw no man to save the lost and dying;
And counted not His life the one most precious;
He died — that all may live through endless days. O sinful sin — that cost the blood of Jesus!
O matchless love — that cared His blood to spill
For every man, and from sin's bondage frees us!
O depths of love — that brought to Calv'ry's hill
The Crucified! Rejoice, all ye who know Christ came to save you!
Tell those who know it not — the love He gave you!
Sing of His mighty love — the pow'r unfailing,
That oped for all the gates of heaven wide! Why did He love? Love is love's constant glory!
Love lives to love — and loves its life to share!
"Failure to love," is earth's sad, bitter story!
But "God so loved" salvation to declare
From sin's mad strife. If light fail, is it yet the light? — No, never;
And love — to live — must freely love forever.
Love's constant choice is love — the joyous giving
Of life received from love's great fount of life.