For more information e-mail SMBC at smbc@ozemail.com.au
(8 bar intro)
Not by our words, not by our deeds,
Not by our meditative hearts, not by our creeds,
Not by the songs we sing, the gifts we bring,
the strength of our resolve,
Can we come to You, our God.
We come by the blood, Jesus' blood.
We approach Your Holy Place, Lord our God,
By a new and living way, by the blood,
Jesus' blood.
Freed of all sin, washed of each smear,
In the full confidence of faith, Lord, we draw near.
Knowing Your word is true, we hope in You, and spur each other on,
As we come to You, our God.
We come by the blood, Jesus' blood.
We approach the Holy Place of our God.
We draw near to You, oh Lord, by the blood,
Jesus' blood.
©2000 & 2003 Russell Baker. (See Hebrews 10:19-25)
(Original 2nd verse and chorus - as published by SMBC - see below)
Not for our needs, not for our dreams,
Not for the blessings You bestow, not for esteem…
Saviour, You know our hearts. Where can we start?
We are so compromised.
Still we come to You, our God.
There's only the blood, Jesus blood.
We approach the Holy Place of our God.
We draw near to You, oh Lord, by the blood,
Jesus' blood.
©2000 Russell Baker.
Why the change? After some feedback, I felt that the original second verse wasn't as clear as I'd like it to be in communicating the point I had in mind: the desire to approach God just to worship Him, for God is worthy - the recognition that in fact my motives are never that pure - the determination and confidence to come before my God despite my failure, only because of the blood of Jesus.
I worked on making it clearer, then decided instead to go back to Hebrews and develop further the ideas there.
Maybe I'll pick up the ideas in the original 2nd verse in a new song...
The original version of this song has been published by Sydney Missionary and Bible College in their songbook "Living by God's Grace" (So they obviously felt they understood it!)
For more information e-mail SMBC at smbc@ozemail.com.au
Copyright Information
All congregational songs by Russell Baker are subject to copyright protection, and have been registered with Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI) for the purpose of reproduction of lyrics internationally.
If you have a CCLI license in your local church, please feel free to use these songs in your local church free of charge for non-profit purposes - just register copies made in line with the CCLI guidelines.
To find out more about CCLI go to their website:
Permission is also given for the use of this song in personal study and devotion.
For permission to use these songs other than under a CCLI license or for personal use you need to contact Russell Baker:
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©2005 Russell Baker