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!
