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
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
Amazing Grace is a song most of us are familiar with. Written by John Newton in 1772, the timeless hymn is the personal testimony of a man who discovered the immensity of God’s grace could change a broken man forever. A wretched, lost, (spiritually) blind, and fearful man granted redemption by the amazing grace of God.
If there is anything broken in your life – read on. This is what’s God’s grace has been doing in men’s lives ever Jesus came to earth to deliver grace up close and personal.
Grace came through Jesus Christ.
John 1:14–17 (ESV)
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’ ”) For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Here are some working definitions for the grace of God:
- “God’s unmerited favor”
- “God’s love in action”
- “God giving me, in Christ, what I need, not what I deserve”
You can’t appreciate the Christian life unless you understand grace.
Grace is both the beginning and the heart of our relationship with God. Understanding grace draws us to God – not push us away from Him. Out of His kindness and love, He offers us the hope and help we need, starting with salvation. He doesn’t require us to earn His favor, He offers it freely as a gift.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT)
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
Romans 3:23-24 (NCV)
Everyone has sinned and fallen short of God’s glorious standard, and all need to be made right with God by his grace, which is a free gift. They need freedom from sin through Jesus Christ.
God offers salvation as a free gift from Him because He’s already paid for it. Its free to us but it cost Jesus dearly. That means grace is free, but certainly not cheap. Our salvation is based on Jesus’ finished work on the cross – not our works. You can’t improve on what He did. Ever.
You might be thinking, “this is too easy, Christ did all the work…and I get all the benefit?”. Yes, that’s exactly what God’s grace looks like. Grace doesn’t mean God gives sin a pass because He’s nice. Sin always has consequences and ultimately leads to death (spiritual and every other kind). But Jesus chose to take the punishment for sin on our behalf so we can live forgiven and free. That offer is extended to all of us, no matter how bad or how good we think we are. We all equally need His grace and can have it through Christ by faith. It happens just like Newton wrote 250 years ago, “the hour I first believed”.
Free gifts are received, not earned. Then they are enjoyed.
You can’t do anything to earn the gift of salvation, so you can’t lose it by not earning it. Your relationship with God is not some fleeting thing that’s based on your current feelings of self-worth. Living by your feelings will create a rollercoaster relationship with God – sometimes up, sometimes down, sometimes upside down On the hand, living by grace gives you worth and proves how much God values you Grace is redemptive and hopeful – and kind.
Amazing grace not only puts you in right relationship with God, it changes your outlook on life. Grace changes your outlook on your past, on your hang-ups and letdowns…and especially your outlook on other people. God has been good to you, so you can now be good to others. You can be truly kind and forgiving…and gracious – because of God’s grace at work in your own heart. Amazing indeed.
God wants you to feel redeemed and valued – because you are.
God’s goodness determines your future blessings, not your goodness. That’s amazing grace. Your life does hold together because of your perfect track record of awesomeness. We exhaust ourselves when we think this is the case! As a Christian, your life holds together by the grace of God. Rest and rejoice in that, and maybe even sing about it.
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