Tune in to hear the meaningful back story of the classic hymn “Amazing Grace.” The next time you sing this song, you can sing from the heart.
When it comes to old hymns, Amazing Grace is a favorite of all!
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada and, what can I say, it’s the hymn that my soul most often defaults to. And I think, I think this song is so beloved because of its story. We’ve all experienced, to some degree, how amazing God’s grace is.
But when we delve deep into the life of John Newton, the man who wrote this hymn; when we consider this slave ship captain, this utterly depraved reprobate, this miserable wretch for whom Christ spilled his precious blood, then we gain a fresh understanding of just how utterly astonishing God’s grace is. But grace wasn’t amazing only for Newton. The hymn has a bigger story. But first we need to look at what grace is. Because grace not only saves people like John Newton and you and me; grace gets us through the day, grace helps us in our need, and sustains us in our suffering. So, just what is grace?
Well, on one hand, grace is the undeserved favor of God in rescuing us from sin. We all know those familiar words in Ephesians 2: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” The grace of God saves us and keeps saving us from sin until that day when we reach heaven. But on the other hand, grace is also a power that helps us live; grace helps us trust and obey God. The Spirit says in 2 Corinthians 12, "My grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness." So, then, grace is a force, it’s a power, it’s an action of God that works in us to help us suffer well and obey wholeheartedly.
And I love that. Because I need grace, not just when I first believed and got saved; no I need grace every single day. And so? The grace of God has two amazing facets; it’s not only an inclination of the Lord to treat people better than they deserve by granting them eternal life, it's a power that produces real, practical outcomes in our lives. There’s a great verse that combines these two facets. Hebrews 4 says, "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace. First, to receive mercy [for our sins] and find grace to help in time of need [no matter how great or small that life need is]. Learning more about grace has encouraged me so much in this wheelchair. Because my smile is evidence that God is at work in my life as I sit in this chair. Grace is evidenced in my ability [a divine ability] to persevere, to endure, to be patient, as well as trusting. Through the grace of God, he has made me more than a conqueror. He’s made me an overcomer through more than half a century of paralysis.
But you want to know something? My smile really shines when I think of all my many transgressions of which God has forgiven me. His mercy, his grace is absolutely amazing because I know, I am aware of the sins of which I’m capable. Honestly, I am most happy when his grace clears me of guilt and empowers me to obey. So, just why would you say the grace of God is amazing in your life? Well, I bet you would say, “Because Jesus has saved me; and Jesus gives me strength to live, even smile through every test and trial.” Friend, if you can say that, you can sing Amazing Grace from the heart.
© Joni and Friends