Vain man, to boast forbear,

Vain man, to boast forbear,
The knowledge in thy head;
The sacred Scriptures this declare:
"Faith without works is dead."

When Christ the Judge shall come
To render each his due,
He'll deal thy deeds their righteous doom,
And set thy works in view.

Food to the hungry give;
Give to the thirsty drink;
To follow Christ is to believe;
Dead faith is but to think.

The man that loves the Lord
Will mind whate'er he bid;
Will pay regard to all his word,
And do as Jesus did.

The dead professor counts
Good works as legal ties;
His faith to action seldom mounts;
On doctrine he relies.

But words engender strife;
Behold the gospel plan:
Trust in the Lord alone for life,
And do what good you can.