Amazing Grace

I f I were stranded on an island, or staying at home because of some virus, I would want to have two books within my reach; The Holy Bible and one of my old church hymnals I Clayton Adams have collected over the years.

In my collection of church hymnals and song books, I have Methodist, Catholic, Baptist, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, and other denominations. Some are the old cloth or paperback, almost each song book contains a version of Amazing Grace.

Do you know about the man and his life who wrote this song? It was written by John Newton, a slave trader, captain of a slave ship. His life was filled with debauchery, he lived a life of unimaginable cruelty. Most of us would have a difficult time attempting to imagine his lifestyle and deeds.

Then one fateful day, God began to deal with John about his life and the work he was engaged in. For years, John Newton buried deep within his conscious the terrible deeds he had done, but God has a way of breaking through a man or woman’s spirit hardened by life. John became a follower of Jesus Christ.

God speaks to each person in very personal ways. God has a plan to use all that has happened to you to build His Kingdom. Everything you have experienced in life God is using to bring about His plan for your life. Perhaps like you, John Newton went through many dangers, toils, and snares in his wretched life and all these work to the good for the glory of God (Romans 8:28).

The words of Amazing Grace serve as a testimony to John’s former life; “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.”

During his slave trading days, he was a wretch, plundering, buying, and selling people. Newton was completely lost in his life of sin and debauchery. Then God “found” Newton in his life and began dealing with his heart. It is no different for you and me. God always knows where to find us.

God comes to us just as we are. Newton described it this way; “Twas grace that taught my heart to fear and grace my fears relieved; How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed!” This is how God works, the grace of God teaches us to “fear” meaning to honor, respect, and revere God. God’s grace, sometimes instantly, but usually over time, teaches us how to deal with our “fears.”

God’s amazing grace opens our hearts and minds in an instant and throughout our lives.

John Newton discovered he could not run away from his wretchedness. Perhaps the most difficult thing for an individual to admit is our status as a “wretch.” No one likes to admit the sin in our lives. We do as much as possible to cover over, justify and hide it, but God’s amazing grace and His love for you chases you down, brings us to a point in our life when we admit, if to no one but ourselves, and Him, how wretched our life really is.

God is after you. God’s desire is for you to return to Him and His Son Jesus Christ. God’s amazing grace allows us to make our own decisions like John Newton but all through our decisions and choice of living, God is with us, calling us, waiting for us to come to our senses and acknowledge our need for Him.

Most church hymn books do not have the whole song of Amazing Grace, most just have three, maybe four verses. But there are three other verses written by Newton most people do not know about these other verses.

The missing verses include, 1) “The Lord has promised good to me, His Word my hope secures; He will my shield and portion be as long as life endures. 2) when this heart and flesh shall fail, and mortal life shall cease, I shall possess within the veil, a life of joy and peace. 3) The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, the sun forebear to shine; But God, who called me here below, will be forever mine.”

John Newton was a wretch of a man, a buyer and seller of living souls, saved by God’s Amazing Grace. Soon after, he became a pastor and tirelessly worked to end England’s involvement in slave trading. In the same year of his death in 1807, the English Empire ended its involvement in the slave trade.

Like Newton, you and I must come to a point in our lives when we admit to God, ourselves and perhaps others that we are a wretch, a sinner and must depend on Him to save us from the eternal consequences of our wrong doing.

It was through a life of misery and debauchery of one man that God used to produce perhaps the greatest of all songs, Amazing Grace. I wonder what God plans to produce from your experiences and life?

Clayton Adams has a message of faith he would like to share with the community. He would also like to hear from you. E-mail clayton padamsiii@gmail.com.