IF NOT, WHAT THEN?

If the Lord Christ Jesus inside you
is not greater than the world
the flesh
and the devil,
If his presence and power
in and for you is not, in fact,
the destroyer of sickness and disease,
the conqueror of sin
the crusher of condemnation,
the terror of fear
the dread of all discouragement
and breaker of despair,
If Jesus is not
the wellspring of your joy,
your hope of glory,
the lifter of your head
and the blazing fire
of your triumphant faith,
Of what, then,
does your salvation in Christ
consist?
Indeed, what story have you to tell?

Since God is for us,
no weapon in existence
can prevail against us.
Such promises
are present in the King
who inhabits us.

His tender mercies and benefits
have not eluded you
or been taken from you.

His powers, properties and privileges
are freely given
to every humble soul
who will trust in Him.

If our hearts have wandered,
If we've lost our way
and no longer believe,

and yet want to feel his benefits,
turn again and run
to His mercy and loving kindness.

He will yet restore
to your contrite heart
the full measure of His grace;
the myriad pleasures and secret counsel
of His intimate company.