“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.”
For over 200 years “Amazing Grace” is perhaps the greatest adored spiritual hymn ever written and sung. It unfolds deep religious-philosophical jubilation. It’s estimated to be performed over 10 million times every year and has been on over 11,000 albums. The words of this celebrated song were created by John Newton. In the mid-1700s, Newton worked on a slave vessel and was labeled as the most disrespectful man the captain had ever met. During a storm, Newton directed his sailors to tie themselves to the ship to evade being washed overboard. He then pleaded to God for mercy. It’s written that God found him in his despicable mentality and redeemed him and it was that experience Newton recognized the gift of God’s grace.
Beloved, grace is the unmerited favor of God. Romans 3:24 reminds us that we were once condemned because of our sin, but we’re now saved by God’s grace. We haven’t done anything special to merit this act of mercy from God. We can’t do enough in our power, in any way to prove ourselves good. There’s no way we can lift one finger to save ourselves. It’s God’s grace that provides a path. In our text this morning, Paul thanks God for the grace that saved the church in Corinth and brought them together as the body of Christ.
We’re multiparty recipients of this grace, united by this act of divine mercy, it’s a gift we all share. And this grace produces results. In Verse 5 Paul says by grace, we’re improved in every way, including our speech and the way we think. Grace produces many changes in our lives that are visible to others. It’s grace that’ll see us home!!! Verse 8 says, “He will also keep you firm to the end so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ”.
Beloved, not one of us could appear faultless before God without this amazing gift of grace!!!
Let Us Pray:
Dear Heavenly Father, this morning we thank You for Your Amazing Gift of Grace. If it was not for Your Amazing unconditional love this unmerited undeserved favor could not be applied to our life. “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.” In Jesus’ Name, I Pray, Amen and Aaamen. 😀
Beloved, life is very short. It comes and goes like an unannounced gust of wind. None of us know the hour or day when that gust of wind will be permitted to enter our room and blow out our earthly light. So today, reach out and touch someone and tell them you love them, BECAUSE TELLING THEM LATER JUST MIGHT BE – TOO LATE.
I LOVE YOU ALL!!! – Have an “AMAZING” Sunday.
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