I Once Was Dead in Sin and Strife
M. Justin Wainscott, © 2008
I was once was dead in sin and strife,
And knew no will but mine;
But God has quickened me to life
By sovereign grace divine!
To base desires I was a slave,
And under their control;
But Jesus Christ is strong to save;
He freed my shackled soul!
Although my heart was hard as stone,
And vile with ev’ry beat;
For all my sins Christ has atoned.
In him I stand complete!
My blinded eyes were shut by sin,
The dark my only sight.
But God, in mercy, opened them,
And flooded me with light!
My lifeless tongue was resting lame,
No words my mouth could bring;
Till on my lips God put his name,
And loosed my tongue to sing!
And sing I shall to Christ my King,
My Savior and my God;
Loud praises I will ever bring.
I’ll glory in his blood!
And when from earth I shall depart,
And when it’s time to die;
I’ll join the saints and sing my part
In songs of praise on high!
