Amazing Grace – My Chains Are Gone
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 (ESV)
John Newton was actively involved in the slave trade in the 18th century and had also been treated as a slave when he worked on a commercial ship. During this time, the slave trade was such a lucrative business that the immorality of enslaving others was ignored. The cruelty and emotional trauma the slaves endured were ignored. Newton had witnessed this for over a decade, but his moral depravity was so great that he couldn’t see it for the evil it was. His own troubles and miseries blinded him.
“The troubles and miseries . . . were my own. I brought them upon myself by forsaking [God’s] good and pleasant paths and choosing the way of transgressors,
When God’s grace redeemed him, his eyes were opened to the wickedness of the slave trade. He was, as he said later, “an active instrument in a business at which my heart now shudders.” This conviction led him to fight alongside William Wilberforce to abolish the British slave trade, which ended in 1807.
Grace That Unshackles
The slaves on these ships were forced into slavery. They did not have a say in their lot in life. They were not free. As followers of Jesus Christ, we can become spiritually enslaved to things that usurp the freedom that God’s precious gift of grace freed us from. Unlike the slaves, we have a say in our spiritual lot. We can choose to fill our hearts and minds with things that draw us away from God. Things that shackle us to the things of this world. Or we can allow the steadfast love that God has written on our hearts to draw us to Him. When we do this, the wise writer of Proverbs says, we will find favour and success in the sight of God and man (Proverbs 3:3-4). When we draw near to God, we acknowledge His presence in our lives. We trust Him. We don’t depend on our own understanding.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
There is a wonderful promise attached to this: He will lead us along the righteous path, the good and pleasant path Newton spoke about. The path He has destined for us. The path that leads to life and freedom. Praise God! His grace and unending love have ransomed us. Our chains are gone! We are set free by the precious blood of the Lamb.
My chains are gone, I've been set free. My God, my Savior has ransomed me. And like a flood His mercy reigns. Unending love, amazing grace. Chris Tomlin (Stanza added in his modern version of Amazing Grace)
Reflection:
Do you find the steadfast love for God waning? Confess this to Jesus. He will help you to stay close to Him when the uncertainties of life cause you to drift from Him.
Prayer:
Thank You, Lord, for Your precious blood that sets me free. Help me not to drift from You when uncertainties come. Help me not to become shackled to the things of this world, but draw close to You. Show me Your path that leads to freedom and life. In Jesus’ name, amen.
