This hymn written by 19th-century American pastor T.B. Pollock (1836-1896) is something that we should reflect on, perhaps even use as a prayer guide, as we consider on our relationship with Christ.
We have not known Thee as we ought,
Nor learned Thy wisdom, grace and power;
The things of earth have filled our thought,
And trifles of the passing hour.
Lord, give us light Thy truth to see,
And make us wise in knowing Thee.We have not feared Thee as we ought,
Nor bowed beneath Thine awful eye,
Nor guarded deed, and word, and thought,
Rememb’ring that our God was nigh.
Lord, give us faith to know Thee near,
And grant the grace of holy fear.We have not loved Thee as we ought,
Nor cared that we are loved by Thee;
Thy presence have coldly sought,
And feebly longed Thy face to see.
Lord, give a pure and loving heart
To feel and own the love Thou art.We have not served Thee as we ought;
Alas, the duties left undone,
The work with little fervor wrought,
The battles lost or scarcely won!
Lord, give the zeal, and give the might,
For Thee to toil, for Thee to fight.When shall we know Thee as we ought,
And fear, and love, and serve aright?
When shall we, out of trial brought,
Be perfect in the land of light?
Lord, may we day by day prepare
To see Thy face, and serve Thee there.
Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount makes a distinction between citizens of the Kingdom of God and the world. The person who enters the kingdom adopts the perspectives of the kingdom. Jesus in Matthew 6:19-34 really calls his followers to an unswerving loyalty to those values, as well as, trusting God in a wholehearted way that is free from compromise. As we examine ourselves and find ourselves wanting, because we all are, I think it would be helpful to consider this hymn as we repent.
