Are we still amazed by grace? Who would we have been if God had not saved us? John Newton wrote the song Amazing Grace after God called him out of the darkness of sin and into the light of his grace. At the age of 82, Newton said, "My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: that I am a great sinner — and that Christ is a great Savior!" In fact, his tombstone reads: "John Newton, once an infidel and libertine, a servant of slaves in Africa, was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach the faith he had long labored to destroy!"
Paul was amazed by God’s grace as well. He remembered who he was when God saved him: a blasphemer, persecutor, and a violent man. As the worst of sinners, he had experienced God’s mercy and grace. He believed God showed him mercy so that others might see and also believe in Christ and receive eternal life. So he praised his King with honor and glory.
Newton spoke for all believers when he said, "By the grace of — I am what I am." (1 Corinthians 15:10.) He remained silent a short time, and then said:
“I am not what I ought to be. Ah! how imperfect and deficient.
I am not what I might be, considering my privileges and opportunities.
I am not what I wish to be. God, who knows my heart — knows I wish to be like Him.
I am not what I hope to be. Before long, I will drop this clay tabernacle, to be like Him and see Him as He is!
Yet, I am not what I once was — a child of sin, and slave of the devil!
Though not all these — not what I ought to be, not what I might be, not what I wish or hope to be, and not what I once was — I think I can truly say with the apostle, "By the grace of God — I am what I am!"
You, too? Me, too!
