God is not put off by our sin. He is not intimidated by our seeming objections. His grace is more than powerful enough to turn the heart of stone to flesh.

Most people are familiar with John Newton, even if they don’t know they are. The reason they know him is because he penned one of the most sung and most treasured songs of all time: “Amazing Grace.” Even though you’re likely singing the lyrics in your head right now, here’s a refresher:

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.

Born in 1725, Newton’s God-fearing mother died when he was six. Without her influence, Newton turned to a life of debauchery and became a sailor. Many of his ships participated in the English slave trade. It was on one such trip that a great storm came upon the ship, and for the first time in many years, Newton cried out to God for mercy. God answered his prayer, and yet Newton persisted in his work as a sailor, even becoming the captain of his own slave-trading vessel, and yet God was at work in his heart.

It was not until several years later that Newton was converted to Christ, rejected his former profession, and became a minister in the Church of England. He also became a staunch abolitionist and his work in that area greatly influenced William Wilberforce who played a mighty role in bringing slavery to a halt.

Yes, this slave-trader turned preacher wrote the hymn Amazing Grace. And though that song is probably Newton’s most remembered contribution, there is another set of words he wrote that is also worth remembering. In summarising his own testimony, Newton said:

Read More