Amazing Grace – The Precious Gift

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. John Newton

The author of this very familiar, but profound hymn, Amazing Grace, is John Newton. When Newton was just six years old, his mother, who had diligently taught him the importance of following Biblical principles, died. When Newton was forced into naval service as a young man, his bad behaviour resulted in him being sent to work on slave trade ships. On these ships, Newton was influenced by the worst kind of immoral behaviour and was enticed into a life of debauchery. Newton became, in his own words, “a ringleader in blasphemy and wickedness.” But God intervened in His life. As he was returning to Britain, the ship he was travelling on was caught in a treacherous storm. It was during this storm that Newton contemplated the state of his life – his immoral lifestyle and the poor choices he had made. He realised he needed a saviour. As soon as he was on land in Ireland, he sought out the nearest church and surrendered his life to God.

The Gift That Saves

Newton had sunk so low into moral depravity that when he surrendered his life to God, he understood the depths of God’s saving grace. He says in his hymn, “How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed!” God’s saving grace is indeed precious. It’s a precious gift we receive from God because of His deep love for us. Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV) says,

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

There is nothing we can do to earn His grace. It’s free if we are willing to receive it by putting our confident trust in Him. John Newton knew that he couldn’t do anything to save himself. He knew he needed God, someone outside of himself to rescue him. God’s grace not only saved Newton, but it also powerfully transformed him so that he could become a new creature in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

We, who have received this gift of God’s saving grace, desire for others to have this precious gift as well. Those who don’t see their lostness, their wretchedness. Those who have been blinded by Satan, just as Newton was. John Newton’s mother prayed for him as a child that he would follow the Lord, but her death and other circumstances drew him into a life of debauchery. Perhaps you are praying and believing for the salvation of family members, friends, colleagues or others in your sphere of influence. Why not trust God to extend His saving grace to them so that their blind eyes will be opened to see His deep and eternal love for them?

And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. John 1:16 (ESV)

Reflection:

Think about the precious gift you have received from God. Take time to pray for those who need God’s saving grace.

Prayer:

Thank You, Lord, that You have saved me by Your grace. Lord, I pray for those who are lost and need Your saving grace. Open their blinded eyes, Lord, to see Your grace and love and surrender their lives to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.