Hope for the Wretched!

In 1772, at the age of 47, after a ‘colorful’ life, John Newton penned the words of a beloved hymn celebrating the ‘Amazing Grace’ of God.  His poem was born of his own spiritual awakening.

He knew the depths of sin and the pain of terrible regret so when he wrote of God’s grace that ‘saved a wretch like me’ they were heartfelt words. His Christian mother died when he was 7 and his sea-faring father, gone 2 to 3 years at a time, left him in the care of another family. Sent to a boarding school, he experienced emotional and spiritual confusion, and by his own confession - a lack of moral conviction and self-discipline. In 1744 Newton was  taken by force into service in the Royal Navy. He soon found himself disgraced and traded for a man from a passing merchant ship, a slave vessel.

Thus, began his career in the lucrative and horribly cruel business of human trafficking . In time he became the  captain of several slave ships where eventually the horrors of human suffering became too much to bear. After a disabling stroke, he left the sea, married a woman who turned his heart to Christ.  A changed man, he led Bible Studies in his home, and was eventually ordained as an Anglican pastor.  Later in life, he joined William Wilberforce in opposition to the slave-trade and England abolished slavery as a result.  Yes, he is a shining example of “Amazing Grace,”  a man bent on destruction, separated from God, transformed into a man of love for God and others.

The second half of my own life has been a celebration of the amazing grace of God.  Relieved of fear, I found a Loving Father, a good God who is ‘for me, not against me.’  The revelation of the Scripture declares to us that “now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known … This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.

There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith." (Romans 3:21-27, NIV)

That passage is complex, but what words of hope are wrapped in those words. We are made right with God in spite of our failures, our wretchedness. We are bought back from slavery into which sin carried us, freed to live with joy and hope. God is just and merciful in the same moment, restoring us to the purpose and calling for which we are created, to be own children, to share in His love, to live forever in His home. And we do not come to this place because we are good enough, smart enough, or ‘churchy’ enough. It is a GIFT we receive, by faith.

If you live under a cloud of guilt, if shame drives you to try to achieve things in life to compensate for past failure, if you struggle to know that God is loving and good - pray for a revelation of GRACE. Yes it is tranformational truth! "God saved you by His special favor (grace) when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it." (Ephesians 2:8-9, NLT)   

Remember the disgraced preacher named Jonah? He ran from the call of God, selfishly willful. But God did not abandon him. He pursued him and dramatically changed the course of his life. The preacher prayed from the low point of his life - “Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the LORD.” (Jonah 2:8-9, NIV)

John tells us that "From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." (John 1:16-17, NIV)  Moses’ Law showed us the holiness of God and the grace of Jesus provided us a way to know Him, without shame and fear, to love our Father who loved us first. 

“I have no song to sing, but that of Christ my King;
to Him my praise I'll bring forevermore.
His love beyond degree,
His death that ransomed me;
now and eternally.” (John Peterson)

May the grace of God shine in your heart and mind.  Meditate on the truth of the inspired Word, our word from the Word today. "Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. … Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed." (1 Peter 1:8-9,13, NIV)

(Video of this blog at this link)

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Amazing Grace

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found,

Was blind but now I see!

 

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear

And grace my fears relieved.

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed.

 

The Lord has promised good to me,

His Word my hope secures.

He will my shield and portion be

As long as life endures.

 

Through many dangers toils and snares

I have already come.

'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,

And grace will lead me home.

 

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,

And mortal life shall cease.

I shall possess, within the veil,

A life of joy and peace.

 

When we've been there ten thousand years,

Bright shining as the sun,

We've no less days, to sing God's praise,

Than when we first begun.

 

John Newton

© Words: Public Domain