Be Ye Therefore Perfect

Responded to another writing challenge yesterday.  A neighbor and great friend, Kevin Pace, who is a gifted musician and composer, asked me at church if I had ever written a hymn text. I had never attempted to do so in the past, so later that afternoon I got to work and the following is what I came up with.  I sent a copy to Kevin and he reports that he immediately had a tune to go with it (he's pretty amazing that way).

Anyway, here is the text. I'll post the music when Kevin finishes putting it together.

Be Ye Therefore Perfect

VERSE 1

Be ye therefore perfect,
My Savior said to me,
And yet I find that on my own
I live imperfectly.

Each time that I falter,
I seek to hide my shame.
But only through confession can
I seek the Savior’s name.


CHORUS

Repentance is a gift of God
From His Beloved Son.
I humbly seek to change my heart
And with them both be one.


VERSE 2 (add upbeat to both stanzas)

Temptations all around me,
My weaknesses are clear,
But through atoning sacrifice
Christ banishes my fear.

Perfection still eludes me,
Though striving year by year.
Forsaking sin I turn to God
And find Him ever near.


REPEAT CHORUS

Repentance is a gift of God
From His Beloved Son.
I humbly seek to change my heart
And with them both be one.


VERSE 3

Show me clearly Father
The path to Thee on high.
And help me know Christ is the One
On whom I can rely.

Precept upon precept,
The path of Christ is sure
So step by step I’ll follow Him
And every test endure.


REPEAT CHORUS

Repentance is a gift of God
From His Beloved Son.
I humbly seek to change my heart
And with them both be One.