Rev. Don Campbell
John 1:16
A SONG A DAY, January 21, 2020
“Amazing Grace”
One who does not find grace amazing either doesn’t understand grace or doesn’t understand one’s own sinfulness.
John Newton said of himself, “Only God’s amazing grace could and would take a rude, profane, slave-trading sailor and transform him into a child of God.” Sailors are not generally known for refined language, but it is said of Newton that he had “a reputation for profanity, coarseness, and debauchery which even shocked many a sailor” (Godtube). Newton became a supporter and inspiration to William Wilberforce who lead the fight to pass the British Slave Trade Act in 1807, which abolished the slave trade in that empire.
John tells us that we receive grace upon grace (1:16). We don’t need less grace as we become transformed into the image of Christ, because the more we become like Christ the more we see our sin. In Christ, we receive what we need, which is grace upon grace (John 1:16).
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.
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.
“Link to YouTube Video – Amazing Grace”
