By the Way: Amazing hymn can still move 240 years later

By Medicine Hat News on July 29, 2017.

Several years ago I had the opportunity to visit John Newton’s museum and previous home in Olney, England. I was very humbled as I sat at his desk and read through his notes and of course the original penning of “Amazing Grace.” I find it truly amazing today some 240 years later that this hymn is still requested more than any other at funerals and church services around the world. The power of God’s amazing grace still moves on the hearts of man as it did some 2,000 years ago when Jesus gave himself for us and allowed us entry into His Kingdom.

When Newton penned this moving hymn it was in fact his own testimony of how a depraved human being came to a saving knowledge of our Lord. As a slave trader for many years Newton came to hardening and depraved knowledge of treating other human beings. One night when all looked lost in a violent storm Newton cried out to the Lord and as he states had a spiritual awakening and saving knowledge of his soul. Years in Newton went from transporting human cargo to the new world to be sold to rescuing souls preaching the Gospel and writing hundreds of hymns glorifying Christ, now rescuing instead of selling.

With Newton’s transformation he would write to what we sing so often today of a truly wretched soul apart from Jesus and his His amazing grace reaches down and saves to this day from our depraved state apart from Him. Newton really transformed through song how God spiritually would change anyone who would cry out and say Jesus I truly need help and rescuing.

Humanity without Christ is still lost and indeed wretched especially from what we see around us today. Are we not thankful that Jesus came and made a way to clear our hearts, forgive us when we ask, and make a eternal way for us into His presence when we pass from this place to our new home.

John Newton’s hymn “Amazing Grace.” truly says it all when you find Christ you find life.