August 26, 2005

Have faith in God –
His Book to us addressed;
Have faith in God –
Christ's blood by all confessed;
Have faith in God –
And in the hope so blessed.
Have faith, dear friend, in God.

Living for Jesus

Thomas Obediah Chisholm, 1866-1960

    Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.  Romans 12:1, 2.

    Living for Jesus was written in 1917 by Thomas Chisholm at the request of the composer, Harold Lowden, who had used his tune two years earlier with another text. Lowden, however, was not satisfied with the union of his tune with the earlier text and wrote Mr. Chisholm, suggesting the title "Living for Jesus" for the new hymn setting. Chisholm felt very inadequate for the task, but within two weeks the words were completed.
    Thomas Chisholm had been an editor, a schoolteacher, and a Methodist minister before ill health forced him to begin a less strenuous life as an insurance salesman. His favorite endeavor had always been the writing of poetry, and he continued to do this all through his 94 years. "I have greatly desired," he said, "that each hymn or poem might send some definite message to the hearts for whom it was written." Though humble in spirit and frail in health, Chisholm found that writing encouraging words such as these for God's people to sing was his "pathway of blessing".

Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.

Living for Jesus Who died in my place,
Bearing on Calvary my sin and disgrace;
Such love constrains me to answer His call,
Follow His leading and give Him my all.

Living for Jesus, wherever I am,
Doing each duty in His holy Name;
Willing to suffer affliction and loss,
Deeming each trial a part of my cross.

Living for Jesus through earth’s little while,
My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;
Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,
Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.

Chorus:
O Jesus, Lord and Savior,
I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement,
Didst give Thyself for me.
I own no other Master,
My heart shall be Thy throne.
My life I give, henceforth to live,
O Christ, for Thee alone.

Have Faith in God by H.M.S. Richards, Used by Permission