AMAZING GRACE!

October 24 

But where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.  Romans 5:20b

You have all heard the hymn Amazing Grace written by John Newton.  Born in 1725, his mother died in July 1732.  She had taught him to read and memorize Bible verses.  After her passing, John went to school for three years, dropping out at age 11 to go to sea with his father, the captain of a merchant ship. By age 24 he had experienced despair, depression, dangers, abuse, public floggings and even some miraculous escapes from death.  Newton lived without restraint, caring for no one but himself.  He was one LOST soul for sure!   

Later he became the captain of a slave ship.  Newton was insensitive to the inhumane treatment of the Africans chained in the hold of his ship.  In May 1848, a violent storm almost sank his ship.  For 4 weeks the sailors were in deep despair.  Finally after near starvation, they reached Ireland’s shores.  Months later on an African island, Newton contracted a deadly disease.  Burning with fever he wrote, “Weak and almost delirious, I arose from my bed and crept to a secluded part of the island; there I found renewed liberty to pray.  I made no resolves, but cast myself before the Lord to do with me as He should please.  I was enabled to hope and believe in a crucified Savior.  The burden was removed from my conscience.”* God miraculously saved him.  He married, and later became a pastor and hymn writer.  In 1779 he wrote and published the hymn, Amazing Grace.   

At age 82 shortly before his death, he said, “My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things; that I am a great sinner and that Christ is a great Savior!”*  Amen! 

*The Amazing Story Behind ‘Amazing Grace’, 1996, American Tract Society 

Bob Kulp