You’re free,
he said, and snapped the shackles on.
You see, he
said, your debt is paid; your sin is gone.
And now,
there’s only one thing you must do:
Endure these
chains, and thus maintain his love for you.
Our master
is a kindly one, he said
His employ
isn’t something you can earn; it’s just a gift instead.
But his
affection, that’s a different thing:
It’s only
for the few who keep the rules for following.
Sure, he
already suffered for your gain;
Willingly
laid down his life, imbibed your pain.
But
gratitude demands you languish, too
And thus
allay the payment he so freely made for you.
You’re not
his servant, really, but his son
Accepted irrevocably;
it cannot be undone
But still
he’ll snub you if you slip or fail
By messing
up the way you sing or how you wear your hair.
Of course,
his yoke is easy, and his burden light
Just trust
him with your all; he’ll make your days be sunny, bright
But, God
forbid you stumble on the way;
Cause then
he’ll turn his face and make you pay.
No matter
that he bids you rest in grace!
It doesn’t
really mean to rest: it means pick up the pace
Create a
testimony that will brightly glow
To hide the
weak, dependent soul his loving light would show.
Yes, gaze on
him, but watch yourself – beware
Of losing
sight of regulation in the beauty of his care.
His
liberation merits strictest gratitude, most cautious song;
After all, you’re
free, he said, and snapped the shackles on.
