You did not choose Me

“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you.” (Jesus Christ to His disciples in John 15:16)

1. ’Tis not that I did choose Thee
For, Lord, that could not be;
This heart would still refuse Thee,
But Thou hast chosen me.
Thou from the sin that stained me
Washed me and set me free,
And to this end ordained me,
That I should live to Thee.

2. ’Twas sovereign mercy called me,
And taught my op’ning mind;
The world had else enthralled me,
To heav’nly glories blind.
My heart owns none above Thee;
For Thy rich grace I thirst;
This knowing, if I love Thee,
Thou must have loved me first.

– Josiah Conder (1856); 7.6.7.6.D.