By Grace We Start Poem by Michael P. Johnson

The Lord will save a sinful soul
He’ll raise up those who fall
By grace He’ll save make truly whole
Who’ll answer Jesus’ call

But yet God’s grace is just the start
Life’s genesis through flame
Spiritual journey of the heart
The war on sin and shame

The route’s unknown without a guide
Obscure, without God’s Seal
Yet Jesus’ eyes search far and wide
To find each heart that’s real

We know in life what’s real and true
We know what’s right and wrong
We know the deeds we ought to do
We know the devil’s song

Life’s journey is a testing ground
God’s smelting pot on earth
His sifting from the filth He’s found
That hinders second birth

So many fall along the way
Alone to self they’re true
God’s holy rules they’ll disobey
But Satan’s they pursue

Each deed of gold will accounts to nought
Each silver word much less
When truth from God we haven’t bought
When sin we don’t confess

Through life’s desert, we all must tread
Like Moses long before
Where only few will find ahead
The Way through Heaven’s Door