Posted on 09/07/2010 9:22:32 PM PDT by pastorbillrandles
In Evil long I took delight,
Unawed by shame or fear.
Till a new object struck my sight,
and stopp’d my wild career:
I saw one hanging on a tree
By agonies and blood,
Who fixed His languid eyes on me,
as near His cross I stood.
Sure never till my latest breath,
Can I forget that look:
It seemed to charge me with His death,
Though not a Word I spoke:
My conscience felt and own’d the guilt
and plunged me in despair:
I saw my sins,His blood had spilt,
and helped to nail Him there
Alas I knew not what I did!
But now my tears are vain:
Where shall my trembling soul be hid?
For I the Lord hath slain!
-a second look He gave which said,
“I freely all forgive;
This blood is for my ransom aid:
I die that thou may’st live.”
Thus while His death my sin displays
In all its blackest hue:
Such is the mystery of grace,
It seals my pardon too.
With pleasing grief, and mournful joy,
My spirit now is filled,
That I should such a life destroy,
Yet live by him I killed
By John Newton-(Author of Amazing grace- former slave owner and slave, a man so depraved even his fellow sailors abhored Him, but saved by Amazing grace of God!)
God blessed John Newton with His forgiveness and with a way with words that blesses those who read and sing them. Thank you for posting this; I hadn’t read or heard this Newton piece before.
This is what should be sung in Churches, and only hymns like this.
These type of Hymns are mini-sermons all by themselves. Full of life, full of the Gospel, full of encouragement, full of conviction!
I pray to God that the churches of America wake up and toss overboard the little light-weight useless ditties that masquerade as Hymns today.
They are worth less than colored-water, as far as spirtual nourishment is concerned.
It is the difference between red-meat and moldy bread.
Beautiful, and a great reminder of Jesus’ love for us.
Thank you for posting this!
PING
Thank you. Amazing Grace is one of my favorite hymns and it’s
good to read this verse. Knowing God makes all the difference...
You'll notice that it fits perfectly. Do you know why?
Thank you, that has always been a favorite of mine.
Add “And Can it Be That I Should Gain” by Charles Wesley to your list.
Very moving! THANKS for posting!
Amazing Grace and it’s History (just awesome): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMF_24cQqT0
Why?
Whewww! I thought you were going to say that the Television series stole the hymn and changed the words! Thanks-Pas Bill
Oh, that our eyes would be open to the evil that entertains us. And we’ve shut the door to shame ever entering out conscious thought.
Thank you. I appreciate the works of true servants of the Living God. The Truth rings loudly in their testimony.
If we spent a weekend debating the transformed life of Mr Newton, I dare say we would make more progress than after any empty debate over the jots and tittles of many a ‘learned’ theologian and the defense of what they ‘truly’ mean.
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