Five L’s to Safeguard Our Walk

L number 1 is Looking unto Jesus

The Author and Finisher of our faith

Not the faith that sets store by miracles

But that which becomes the Christian’s lathe

The Holy Spirit is the machinist

And the lathe is the apostles’ doctrine

Its measurements are very precise

And it is set to rid us of all sin

Looking unto Jesus is an imperative

This must never be treated lightly

Particularly in a world of “men like trees”

Determining their followers’ reality

Looking unto Jesus our only Saviour

The One that was lifted up

That promised them that look to him

They would be spared that bitter cup

For none could drink the bitter cup

That Christ drank for everyone

That would look to him for salvation

All such ones would be reborn

Even as Moses lifted up long ago

The bronze serpent in the wilderness

Similarly by looking unto Jesus

We can be rid of our sinful mess

Yes, he is the Author of our faith

Its origin was in Calvary’s cross

But he is also the Finisher too

When from death he rose for all the lost

So as we looked towards the cross

Dismayed by the setting sun

We are heartened at the imminent sunrise

And the sign that the work is done

For no sooner had the sun set

Than it was shining in the east again

Look and live the hymn declares

What a joyous and glorious refrain!

  

Look to Jesus I would admonish

He exceeds our greatest wish

Let all other objects be diminished

The Bread of Life is our satisfying dish

L number 2 is Longing for Jesus

With all our heart and soul and mind

A desire and yearning to be closer

To him through the passage of time

A longing in which one’s self diminishes

And Christ steadily increases within

A foregoing of instant gratitude

And constant renouncing of sin

A longing to love as he loved

A compassion that moves us to action

That replaces all whims and fancies

And makes Christ the main attraction

A longing to be more like Jesus

A yearning to walk as he walked

A mind full of purity and wisdom

Constantly adjusting our conduct and talk

A yearning that says I’d rather have Jesus

Than all the gold in the world

Our confidence alone in the Saviour

As the events around us unfurl

Long after Jesus I would advise

For in him there is no disappointment

There is no failure in the Master

Christ’s mind in you should be your intent

L number 3 is Living for Jesus

Our source of life is in him

With a witness that is clear and focused

From a light that never grows dim

Living for Jesus, a light that is true

Reflecting his truth and righteousness too

Manifesting the word with lip and life

Telling all men what he has done for you

Living the life of the pure in heart

Living for Jesus as the times get dark

Walking the straight path never there depart

Living for Jesus…have you yet made a start?

Abiding in the Vine as a living branch

Taking in nourishment day by day

A living epistle as the Bible instructs

Living for Jesus as he directs our way

A life lived example for all to see

Not I but Christ alive in me

A testimony of his mercy, love and grace

To a grateful soul from sin set free

Salting the earth with our refined taste

As our Saviour said we should

Lighting every corner as lights in the world

Displacing the evil with Christian good

Standing up for Jesus as a good soldier

In the armour of Ephesians six

Always alert to the enemies’ strategies

And never falling victim to his tricks

Live for Jesus I would counsel all

It was he who died for you

Live for Jesus who is coming again

That’s the best that you can do

L no 4 is Learning from Jesus

Learning while sitting at his feet

Or sitting on his knee like a little child

Expecting a delicious treat

Learning from Jesus the Living Word

Absorbing the pages of Holy Writ

Line upon line precept and all

Paying close attention to the script

Not of pretext but in context

Treating the Written Word as a whole

Trusting the Holy Spirit as He guides into truth

The truth that ministers to the soul

Recall how the crowds had pressed him sore

“Never man spake like this man”

He was Rabboni, Master and teacher too

Willing students still understand

Sometimes he taught from a hillside

Sometimes he climbed into a boat

Wherever he taught the lessons were precious

Today we should still take note

Learning not only from his words

But also the example he showed by his life

As he reached out to the sick and the needy

And dissipated the Pharisees’ strife

Before Abraham was Jesus is

And though David’s son, still his Lord

The Lamb and the Shepherd all in one

Both the Living and the Written Word

Looking for a teacher true to his word?

Look no further than Jesus the Christ

Learn from Jesus I implore you today

Lessons from the one who paid sin’s price

L number 5 is Leaning on Jesus

No other safe support is there

All others will crumple and fail

There is a limit to which they can care

Learning to lean is more than a song

That we sing from lips of clay

The truth of the matter really is

It’s a lesson to be learned along the way

Our faith must develop to the point of trust

As upon the Savior we rest

Jesus is the Rock that can’t be moved

The One that is greater than our greatest test

Leaning on Jesus is a sure retreat

The One that holds the world in space

He the creator of the entire universe

Keeps all the cosmos in place

So that if the cosmos on Jesus depend

Surely on him we can also lean

Whether threatened by a monstrous wave

Or tricky rapids in a disturbed stream

“I’ll never leave nor forsake,” he says,

Underneath are his everlasting arms

Extended for all those who want to lean

No need to fear or be alarmed

Lean on me if you are not strong

Appeals to the apparent weak

But Jesus’ invitation is to one and all

Both to the strong and weak he speaks

Lean on Jesus I entreat all of you

And as for me, I am no exception

Jesus is the way the truth and the life

It’s only in him that we find salvation

Five L’s to safeguard our walk

Looking and longing are two

Living and learning to follow these

And leaning completes the five L crew

Looking to Jesus who is our Lord

Longing for Jesus who satisfies

Living for Jesus while Learning his Word

Leaning on Jesus the choice of the wise.

Stewart Russell © 2015