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Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
that saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now I'm found,
was blind but now I see.
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"John Newton, the author of the lyrics to Amazing Grace, was born in 1725 in Wapping, London, United Kingdom.
Despite the powerful message of "Amazing Grace," Newton's religious beliefs initially lacked conviction;
his youth was marked by religious confusion and a lack of moral self-control and discipline.
"Some three years after his marriage, Newton suffered a stroke that prevented him from returning to sea;
in time, he interpreted this as another step in his spiritual voyage. He assumed a post in the Customs Office
in the port of Liverpool and began to explore Christianity more fully. As Newton attempted to experience all
the various expressions of Christianity, it became clear that he was being called to the ministry.
Since Newton lacked a university degree, he could not be ordained through normal channels.
However, the landlord of the parish at Olney was so impressed with the letters Newton had written about
his conversion that he offered the church to Newton; he was ordained in June 1764.
"In Olney, the new curate met the poet William Cowper, also a newly-born Christian.
Their friendship led to a spiritual collaboration that completed the inspiration for "Amazing Grace,"
the poem Newton most likely wrote in Kineton, Warwickshire around Christmas 1772.
The lyrics are based on his reflections on an Old Testament text he was preparing to preach on,
adding his perspective about his own conversion while on his slave ship, the Greyhound, in 1748.
"Newton's lyrics have become a favourite for Christians, largely because the hymn vividly and briefly
sums up the doctrine of divine grace. The lyrics are based on 1 Chronicles 17:16-17, a prayer of
King David in which he marvels at God's choosing him and his house.
Newton apparently wrote this for use in a sermon he preached on this passage on New Year's Day 1773,
and for which he left his sermon notes, which correspond to the flow of the lyrics."
[ Extract from lengthier article at wikipedia.org. Numerous sites contain the complete lyrics of the poem/song. ]
Grace is powerful stuff.
1. elegance or beauty of form, manner, motion, or action.
2. a pleasing or attractive quality or endowment.
3. favor or good will.
4. a manifestation of favor, esp. by a superior:
5. mercy; clemency; pardon: an act of grace.
6. favor shown in granting a delay or temporary immunity.
7. an allowance of time after a debt or bill has become payable
8. Theology:
- a. the freely given, unmerited favor and love of God.
- b. the influence or spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them.
- c. a virtue or excellence of divine origin: the Christian graces.
- d. Also called state of grace. the condition of being in God's favor or one of the elect.
9. moral strength: the grace to perform a duty.
10. a short prayer before or after a meal, in which a blessing is asked and thanks are given.
[Extracted from Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009. ]
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
[ John 1:14, 17 New King James Version ]
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The "Word" is the logos ... God's spoken word by which He created all that exists. The Word was incarnated
in Mary the virgin by the Holy Spirit. The Word was manifested to us in the person of Jesus of Nazareth,
the Christ. He was filled with the favor and kindness of God as well as the truth. He was grace personified
while He walked on earth.
For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.
[ Romans 6:14 New International Version ]
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
not of works, lest anyone should boast.
[ Ephesians 2:7-8 New King James Version ]
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Saint Paul wants to make it perfectly clear to believers that while they are saved by faith in Christ,
their salvation is by the grace, kindness, generosity and goodness of God, not from anything they have
done or not done, can do or can not do.
We know that we are to strive to avoid sins of the flesh and the natural mind but avoiding sin does
not save us. God's grace saves us if we believe we are saved by the sacrifice of
Jesus Christ. If we could save ourselves by good works, the Savior need not have come. We would
simply obey the law and if we succeeded would go to our reward.
I submit to you that no human ever has succeeded except Jesus who was without sin because of who
and what he was and is. He was so totally without sin that He could and did raise Himself from the dead and
will also raise each of us who believe Him and believe in Him.
There are no works you can perform to get you into paradise. Conversely, I believe that saved is saved
and there are no works I can do which can keep me out of paradise except the sin against the Holy Spirit.
As to the rest of my sinfulness, I confess to God and He is faithful to forgive me; show me a better
way, and help me avoid sins of commission or omission.
Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
[ Psalm 119:105 New King James Version ]
For You will light my lamp; The LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.
[ Psalm 18:28 New King James Version ]
The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, Searching all the inner depths of his heart.
[ Proverbs 20:27 New King James Version ]
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The Word of God shows you the way. The original Word is Christ who has come and taught us how to live.
The second word is that which is in the Scriptures where we can discover it and it will light our way.
In this manner we will be illuminated within and His grace will shine forth from us as a lamp on a hill,
lighting the way for others who are now in darkness.
In the way Saint Paul often opened or closed his letters to believers, I say
may the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, be with you.
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