Paid in Full

In ignorance I once believed
That God had certain needs,
That we could help fulfil for him
By doing righteous deeds.

It seemed quite reasonable to me
that there should be a price:-
Some token penance we should pay
For his great sacrifice.

For if all Christians thought their debt
Was paid, (I then supposed)
There would be no deterrent left
To keep them 'on their toes'.

But I was wrong! - The cost of sin
Is just so awfully high,
That if I grasped my guilt at all
I'd know I need to die.

But should I die a martyr's death
I cannot blot my sin:
There is no way for me to pay
Nor secret power within.

And yet my Bible says that those
Who faithfully accept
The Gospel of our Lord and Christ
Have been absolved of debt!

So if it's true I cannot pay,
And Jesus paid for me
Why would I try to "pay my way"
With worthless currency?

I want to justify my sins
I'm driven by my pride,
And thus ignore the fact that I'm
ALREADY JUSTIFIED!

I have been bought at dreadful cost
So let me now embrace
The fact that though I couldn't pay
I'm justified by Grace.