AMAZING GRACE

America's most recognized and loved hymn is AMAZING GRACE, written by John Newton. When Newton was just 11, his mother died. His father took him off to sea to be with him. On a visit back at home, the British Navy impounded young Newton and impressed him into service. He escaped from the Navy, only to be impounded again. This time, however, the Navy traded him to a slave trader. That is how Newton became involved in the slave trade and other immoralities. He was eventually imprisoned, and the rescued by a friend of his father.

In 1748, he boarded the Greyhound headed for home, but encountered a terrible storm on the way. After 27 days of being lost at sea, the crew finally sighted land. This experience drove Newton back to the faith he learned from his mother. He became a preacher of the gospel and for the next 59 years would preach it faithfully. At age 82, near death,almost blind, and with fading memory, he spoke these words: "My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things.
I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior."

Now you know why he wrote, "Amazing grace! How sweet the sound! That saved a wretch like me!" Any one who has a conscience and honestly evaluates her internal and external behavior will feel wretched, understanding how far short she has fallen in meeting the demands of love and holiness.

There is a paradox here too, because it is in this wretchedness that we find true self-esteem. We a not a piece of human debris! We are a person created in the image of God whom God loves so much that He made a sacrifice beyond the scope of our understanding and imagination. This side of Heaven it will never be completely understood, but the cross assures us of our great value to God.

"But God shows His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).

Grace&Peace,
Tom