Saint and Sinner

I wrote this hymn this afternoon (31 July - I've been using the schedule feature on blogger so you'll be reading this in the future) as a reflection on our dual nature as saints and sinners. It's a hard subject to tackle in prose, let alone hymnity. I don't like the first line; it doesn't capture the depravity of man. While the rest of the hymn does a better job of emphasizing that any good in our lives comes from God, the first line on its own leaves room for the idea that humanity has some innate goodness. What do you think? How theologically sound should hymns be? Any suggestion for an alternative first line?

Tune "Christ Be My Leader" Lutheran Service Book 861

Two natures in me, one good and one dark
What God had made perfect is breaking His heart
Death had claim ov'r us, our goodness was gone
God sent forth Jesus, bought us back with His Son

I have done nothing to gain my new life
Christ did it all, He was the sacrifice
Everything good that I have is from Him
Without His guidance I do nothing but sin

Christ is within me and that is by grace
He came to save us, the whole human race
We're clothed in his righteousness; He set us free
Now we can join Him in eternity.

Lord, We Gather at Your Table

One of our activities at the Faith and Writing workshop I attended last week was writing hymns. This was my first attempt, and I must say turned out better than subsequent endeavors.

Lord, We Gather at Your Table
To the tune of "Hark the Voice of Jesus Crying" Lutheran Service Book 826

Lord, we gather at your table
Here you call us to your feast
Lord, your Holy Spirit guides us
Bringing all, the great and least
Everyone has sinned against you
Everyone has disobeyed
Still you let us join your supper
Taking all our guilt away

Christ died out on Calvary's mountain
So we all might come to heaven
We are joined into his dying
Cup of wine and bread unleaven
Thank you, Christ, for coming to us
We receive your loving grace
Now we all can come before you
And behold your righteous face