Lepers to Priests

Once I thought that I could offer

What I had to meet Thy need

Tried some favor to Thee render

Offered up religious deeds.

Hands were filled with conduct proper

Strengths

and gifts

to Thee provide.

Then light shined—I’m just a leper

Having naught but self and pride.

Born unclean

contaminated

A totality of sin

All discharges foul

contagious;

Death exuding from within.

How can such as I approach Thee

Thou most holy

righteous

clean?

By Thy Blood

O Lamb

that cleansed me

Expiated

God appeased.

Hands once empty now receive Thee;

We to tent of meeting go;

Hands are filled with offerings daily

Flame divine remains aglow.

Christ experienced is our offering

Meeting not just our own need

But

O Father

Thy deep longing:

Constituting us Thy priests.

Consecration through enjoyment

Daily filled with Christ alone.

Sweetest fragrance now transcendent

Mutual satisfaction known.

Hallelujahs now unceasing!

Trained to worship and partake.

Holy

clean

and now rejoicing

No more lepers! Priests for aye!