Friendship with God
illustrating epanalepsis,
a poetic technique*

Jesus Christ, my Lord, forgives all sin;
all praise and glory to Jesus Christ.
Grace for the asking is a win-win,
since for God’s love, no price would suffice.

In no way does no price mean no cost.
God’s mercy is a gift He tenders.
Left unopened, this present is lost
for eternity - gone its splendors.

The cost for Jesus Christ was His blood;
a life redeemed - the believer’s cost.
God sends His Sprit as well to flood
our new life with the pow’r of the cross.

Sin is a breach between man and God.
Pardon warrants no shallow embrace.
Free grace accepted with just a nod
understands not the cost of free grace.

As we forfeit cheap expedience,
a friendship with God forms thru the strife.
The life God wants is obedience
unto Him, the Mastermind of life.

Trust cannot thrive in vacillation;
but doubts fold with openhanded trust.
When we probe the aim of salvation,
a cause greater than self is the thrust.

Hear this question and answer thereof,
“What’s a friend worth? ” on this, grace depends.
“Friends, trusted friends, show no greater love
than to lay down their lives for their friends.”

John 15:13

written by Reason A. Poteet

*the words in bold print illustrate the concept of epanalepsis
which starts and ends phrasing with the same words.