When John Newton left his ship anchored in Southampton, England, in 1748, he was sick. Sick with fever, sick physically and sick spiritually. He was also sick of the slave trade.

Sixteen years later, after working all day and educating himself at night, John Newton became a preacher in the Anglican Church, in the small village of Olney. But John Newton never gave up the clothes that he wore as a ship’s captain.

It was in the early years of his ministry – 1779 – that John Newton wrote the words to one of American’s favorite hymns – Amazing Grace.

A WRETCH / LOSS / BLIND

“wretch” – “a miserable person; one sunk in the deepest distress; a worthless mortal” (Webster). Even a person “despised or scorned.”

You know who I think of – biblically – when I think of a wretch? Someone who in fact, became an exile – Cain. He made himself a miserable person, sunk deep in distress and despised because he selfishly killed his own brother.

In contrast to Cain, consider Paul’s words about himself in 1 Timothy 1:13. Paul also was a murderer of his own brethren – his Jewish brethren who had accepted Jesus as the Savior.

But just like John Newton, Paul was taught…

GRACE TAUGHT AND GRACE RELIEVED

Many times what we do wrong, we do in ignorance. But grace teaches us that sin is wrong and it teaches us what to do right. Once again, we turn to the apostle Paul in Titus 1:12.

Christianity is a taught religion and a religion that teaches. That suggests that the primary target of our evangelism is the human ear (Jeremiah 22:29).

I think John Newton may have used the word “fear” with two different definitions. “Grace taught my heart to fear.” That fear is the fear of God (Matt. 10:28). Grace teaches us to fear God out of a deep sense of respect.

But also, Newton writes “grace my fears relieved.” When we are taught about the love of God, expressed in the gracious giving of Jesus Christ, it relieves the fear we have of being punished for our sins.   I think we could accurately change John’s words in 1 John 4:18 in which he writes: “There is no fear in love [grace]; but perfect love [grace] casts out fear.”

GRACE WILL LEAD ME HOME

Grace has brought me through many dangers, toils, and snares. Grace forgives. Grace gives a second chance. Grace accepts. Grace renews and restores confidence. Every time we stumble or stump our toe – God is there to help us back up. That’s grace. We do not deserve it. But it’s available.

Grace will lead me home. Jesus never used the word “grace.” It is never on His lips. The word grace is only used three times in the Gospel records and all in the Gospel of John and all in the first chapter. It is used in verses 14, 16-17.

Observe what Peter has to say about “grace” and going home in 2 Peter 1:2, 3-4, 10-11.

TEN THOUSAND YEARS IN HEAVEN

This verse was not written by John Newton. It was a verse in a different song but in 1910, it was added to this song.

First of all, we should note that this verse is very figurative. There is no time in heaven. Heaven is defined by “eternal life” (Matt. 19:16; 43x), with “eternal dwellings” (Luke 16:9), where we will enjoy an “eternal weight of glory” (2 Cor. 4:17), in an “eternal house not made with hands” (2 Cor. 5:1), enjoying an “eternal comfort” (2 Thess. 2:16), and “eternal redemption” (Heb. 9:12), which is the “eternal salvation” (Heb. 5:9), and an “eternal inheritance” (Heb. 9:15), in the “eternal kingdom” (2 Peter 1:11).

There is no time in heaven. But that’s just the author’s point. Time will not run out. This is a beautiful, poetic way of saying that we will be there with God forever.

–Paul Holland