“Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father….” Galatians 1:4
Christ gave Himself. Nobody took His life from Him. He laid it down of Himself. And it was because of our sins. It was because of my sin that He gave himself. In John 10:17b,18, Jesus said, “I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.” He gave Himself because He wanted to deliver us from this present evil world. He wanted to “tear us out” of this hurtful, degenerate, calamitous, diseased, ruined, vicious, lewd, wicked world. He wanted to give Himself because it was the will of His Father and our Father. He came to do His Father’s will. Oh, thank you, Lord Jesus, for your willingness to lay down your life in my place and to deliver me from this evil world. Thank you for being willing to do the Father’s will.
~J. L. T. Young
1. Wanderer away from Jesus,
In the winding ways of sin,
Turn and seek the world’s Redeemer,
And His service now begin;
On Mount Calvary He suffered,
On the cruel cross He died;
See His hands and feet so wounded,
And behold His pierced side.
Chorus:
Wandering away, wandering away,
Wandering away from Jesus;
Hear His gentle voice, calling you today,
And wander no more away from Jesus.
2. Wanderer away from Jesus,
In the road to endless woe,
If you wilt not turn to Jesus,
Whither, whither wilt thou go?
Broad the road where there art going;
Many with thee downward move;
Turn and seek the narrow pathway
That will lead to bliss above.
3. Wanderer away from Jesus,
Wouldst thou not new life obtain?
Why, then, wilt thou slight His goodness?
Fearest not the woe and pain?
Can you barter life eternal
For the pleasure sin can give?
Turn, oh, oh turn you to the Savior,
And eternal life receive.
~E. R. Latta