John Newton penned the now familiar line - "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me!" Newton knew the depths of wretchedness. In his youth, he had gone to sea and over time became a captain, but not of noble ships. His ships carried human cargo from their African homes to lands far away. Those ships were islands of misery and death with sick and suffering humans chained below decks in squalor that defies our imagination. In addition to the physical horror, there was the utter loss of hope, the terrible grief of having their lives stolen while their bodies still lived!
In the film, "Amazing Grace" released in 2007 to tell the story of William Wilberforce, the member of England's Parliament who led the 30 year struggle to outlaw slavery, Newton reveals that the horror of slave trade haunts his dreams, despite his own experience of Christ's transforming grace, becoming a minister of the Church of England. He was a wretch, no longer, because of God's intervention.
Some churches have taken to changing the word - 'wretch' - to 'soul' when they sing the that hymn. I prefer to hold onto the word - 'wretch' - because it makes God's grace all that more amazing! What is a 'wretch?' My dictionary defines it as 'a deplorably unhappy person of base or despicable character.' No wonder some hymnals are taking the word out of the song. We moderns don't like to think of ourselves as wretched. We make many excuses:
We don't sin anymore, we just make mistakes.
We were raised by parents who messed us up psychologically by failing to love us adequately.
We lacked opportunities to excel, to get the right education, etc.
Wrong, Wrong, and Wrong again! Inside of every person lives a wretched sinful nature,which is inherited from Adam, the first in the long line of sinful wretches.
Paul knew of the wretched state of humanity first hand, too. He spent years pursuing Christians to bring them, with whatever means necessary back to their senses. He even stood at the murder of Stephen, watching him die as stones thrown by hate-filled men pummeled that young saint's body. Then, he too,met Christ and experienced amazing, transforming grace. Paul never forgot that his sinful nature was ready to make a re-appearance if given the least chance. He wrote, "O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" (Romans 7:24, NKJV) But he does not dwell on hopelessness, nor does he make excuse for sin! A greater Power can give a new heart and a new start! Praise pours from his being at the demise of the wretch and the appearance of the glorious man - "The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different." (Romans 7:25, The Message)
I awakened today with a strange mixture of wonder and revulsion in my heart- the dark outlines of the wretchedness at the edges of my life repulse me. The utter depravity of humanity - the pornographers, the greedy money merchants who steal the meager wealth of the unsophisticated, the powerful among us who use their power selfishly, the strong who oppress the weak- is everywhere. But against the dark backdrop, there is glory all around, for I am no longer a depraved wretch! I am a saint saved by grace!
And, most amazing of all, I am privileged to join with God in the fight against the wretchedness of the world, a priest of Heaven who is able to make the appeal, "on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God." (2 Corinthians 5:20, NIV) I rejoice that the God of the ages, through Christ Jesus, would liberate me from wretchedness, not because of anything good thing I've done, but because He is so good and His grace so amazing.Have you bowed your heard, and humbled your heart, recognizing your wretchedness? There is no need to remain in that unhappy state. There is a Savior who gives new hearts and fresh starts to those who receive His amazing grace. He accepts wretches and makes heart, soul, and mind new! The Word promises - "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws." (Ezekiel 36:26-27, NIV)
Yes, you and I will, from time to time, slip back into our wretchedness when we take our eyes off of Jesus. The sinful nature waits to assert the wretch in us. But we need not wallow in the shame of our sins. Instead, we turn back to our God, and like the lost son, find the open arms of the Waiting Father.
Here's a word from the Word-"We, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory,are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory,which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, NIV)
Away darkness of the wretch! Shine brighter as you live in His amazing grace!
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