Sheep to the slaughter

Photo: pro.corbis.com

Photo: pro.corbis.com

Photo: pro.corbis.com

Like heedless sheep to the slaughter
I see them walking around.
As blindfolded babes in the darkness,
Suffocated by the shadows all around.
They’re not crying as I watch them stumbling:
Their laughter is spasmodic and false.
Yet they see it: they know they’re not happy.
And their hearts are lonely, frightened and cold.

They’re running a race to their deathbed.
Their tears are unseen and unfelt.
They don’t understand what they’re doing.
They don’t even know things aren’t right.
Wanting to be comforted by the loose hints they see,
They cling to sly whispers and lies:
Indifferent, even repulsed by the message of life,
They’re so near and yet so far from the light.

Because the truth is that we all have fallen
Standing guilty and helpless and lost.
And we’re all on a runway to destruction:
Time speeding us ever never to sin’s terrible cost.
And overdue is the return of the Almighty
And judgment by One perfect and pure.
One day very soon the LORD of eternity is coming
And to Him all must account without flaw.

But the wonder is there’s an alternative to hopelessness:
There’s a golden Paradise that is open to all.
Doors are open to give peace and everlasting life:
Grace found in response to the Saviour’s call.
And, yes, it’s true this bliss is not automatic
And if we stay as we are then we’re all doomed.
But it’s not too late to change forever’s shape
Because of One who came to pay the ransom for men like you.

On a hill amidst scornings and cruel jeers,
The LORD almighty offered Himself on a cross:
Stepping down from His realms of eternity,
He bridged a gateway between life and the lost.
His blood flowed not for His guilt but your guilt:
His sacrifice fallen men to redeem.
And all men who repent at His footstall
Are offered life in all its blessing and peace.

I look at you, lost sinner, and I offer you
King Jesus, Who died in your place.
For if you believe in His precious lifeblood,
You’ll learn the wonder of His amazing grace.
We all may be far from deserving,
But the Saviour is calling men, to set them free.
Bow the knee and learn what life is:
Come to Christ Jesus and repent and believe.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

John 5:24

Caroline Abblitt

Photo: pro.corbis.com