1
Not of letters, but of spirit,
The New Testamental way;
For 'tis life the spirit giveth,
But the letters always slay.
Outward work God never reckons,
But what's from the inmost part;
It is not to serve in letter,
But life's newness to impart.
The New Testamental way;
For 'tis life the spirit giveth,
But the letters always slay.
Outward work God never reckons,
But what's from the inmost part;
It is not to serve in letter,
But life's newness to impart.
2
Not just by the outward teachings,
But by His anointing moved;
Not just by the outward pattern,
But by inward vision proved.
Not by human rules or rituals,
But by heaven's rule within;
Not by human-made decisions,
But by guidance giv'n of Him.
But by His anointing moved;
Not just by the outward pattern,
But by inward vision proved.
Not by human rules or rituals,
But by heaven's rule within;
Not by human-made decisions,
But by guidance giv'n of Him.
3
Not a dead religion serving,
But in Christ as life to live;
Not theology dispensing,
But a living Christ to give.
Not the knowledge of mere doctrine,
But the message Christ should be;
Not the gifts, the forms, the teachings,
But God's Christ—reality.
But in Christ as life to live;
Not theology dispensing,
But a living Christ to give.
Not the knowledge of mere doctrine,
But the message Christ should be;
Not the gifts, the forms, the teachings,
But God's Christ—reality.
4
Not objectively to worship,
But to serve Him inwardly;
Not to preach a Christ objective,
But Himself subjectively.
Not just by the Scripture serving,
But in spirit and in life;
Not by flesh, but by the Spirit
Filling, freeing from all strife.
But to serve Him inwardly;
Not to preach a Christ objective,
But Himself subjectively.
Not just by the Scripture serving,
But in spirit and in life;
Not by flesh, but by the Spirit
Filling, freeing from all strife.
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Irving, TX, United States
An enlightening hymn, illuminating the basic need to live, serve, preach, and shepherd, by the inner flow of life in our mingled spirit; not in our religious, objective, mental concepts. What a helpful reminder!
Hymn 908 can also be sung using 452 (I Am Not My Own), omitting the chorus.