WITH

We, in baptism, have been buried with Him

And with Him too we have been raised in it;

God through His work is made free to forgive

And we with Him experience quickening;

If we have died with Christ how can we live

In ordinances and other earthly things?

If we are raised with Christ let our hearts lift

To heavenly things suited to where Christ sits;

Since we have died with Christ in God we’re hid -

Untouchable by any fear or sin;

When Christ is seen according to God’s will

We shall be with Him in His eternal bliss.

OF

The things of Jesus Christ impinged on Paul

To the extent he counted all things loss

To gain the knowledge of Christ Jesus his Lord;

That excellency meant he rated dross

What he might be by nature or by law

Because he knew all ended at the cross.

Bondman of Jesus Christ he loved that bond

That in Christ’s day he might have his reward

But more that Christ through him should win applause.

He had the Spirit of Christ on which to draw

And that supply sustained through bitter wars.

The grace of Jesus Christ he left to all.

IN

Outside of Christ, unfathomable dark;

In Christ the fulness of all God could impart

To demonstrate the grandeur of His heart:

Chosen in Him before the worlds began

We have redemption in Him as God has planned;

We, in Christ Jesus, no longer are afar

Nor segregated by law or ordinance

But in Himself formed into one new man

And, through the cross, no longer forced apart;

Now in the Christ indelibly we’re marked

Having the Spirit, pledge of inheritance

Which here in Him, God’s favourite, we have.

OF GOOD REPORT ...

"Of good report", "of virtue" and "of praise":

Shepherds and angels proclaimed the holy Babe;

Evangelists were fervent to dilate

The good report of God come down in grace;

While now the Spirit rejoices to acclaim

Jesus the Lord in His exalted place.

Come to the world which His own hand had made

His virtue flowed even to where men lay

Weaker than weakness huddled within the grave.

Now virtue flows from Christ in majesty

Causing enlightened souls to celebrate

The Man by whom all men shall be amazed.

AMIABLE

"Think on these things" - how amiable He was!

Seeing His grace how many souls were drawn:

Peter could say for Christ he had left all,

While Matthew hastened when answering His call;

The woman slighted the Pharisees' discord

That she might be near her beloved Lord;

And the brave women with the disciple John

Knowing His loveliness stood by the cross.

How amiable He is - the theme of song

Of myriads of souls whom He has bought;

But, more than this, eternity shall vaunt

How amiable Christ Jesus is to God.

PURE

"Think on these things" - who was as pure as He?

He was not only, amid defilement, clean

But His approach made all defilement flee.

The spotless Lamb His cleanness made Him meet

To undertake unutterable grief

Being made sin ensuring our release

And giving God fresh reason to be pleased.

Now God delights in songs of His redeemed,

Themselves now washed, who in Him are relieved;

They love to follow wherever He may lead

Out of this earth into His own demesne,

Pure grace above, pure mercy underneath.

JUST

"Think on these things" - I think of Christ, the Just,

Who for the unjust has undergone the curse

Amid the weight of man's opprobrium,

Securing thus His just imperium.

Christ faced a ruler whose actions were corrupt

And like a lamb, in His defence, was dumb.

He will return to where His peace was spurned

And by His power all evil will be curbed.

His will be justice which no one will rebut

And no appeal nor pleading will disturb

Since under impetus of perfect love

He will decerne as the conclusive Judge.

NOBLE

"Think on these things"   I think of Christ as noble:

Illustrious, in feeling and emotion

Within a world whose tenor was provoking;

Always refined, in action, thought and motive

Within a scene whose ambience was coarseness;

Within a scene whose atmosphere was boreal

His graciousness and tender warmth were copious.

Where human noise was dissonantly vocal

The Master's voice was dignified and cogent.

God found His life was a delightful odour

While now within a place that is harmonious

His stateliness conduces to devotion.