John Newton, whose life spanned from 1725 to 1807, was the captain of a slave-trading ship. As captain, he was responsible for capturing innocent Africans and boarding them onto his vessel. On board, the slaves were subjected to months of inhumane confinement. Though most survived the voyage to the trading ports across the Atlantic, deaths were common. Newton’s industry was detestable, despicable, vile.
Newton, the self-described wretch, found a grace greater than his sin. In his later life, he penned the astonishing truth… “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.”
The Apostle Paul, once the villainous Saul of Tarsus, was just such a wretch, “breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord” (Acts 9:1). But blinded by the Light (Acts 9), he found “peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1) and testified, “God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!” (Ephesians 2:4–5).
Why? Why would God save men such as these?
Why would God miraculously heal Naaman, a Syrian general responsible for violating the Israelite people (2 Kings 5:1-19). He was the archenemy of God’s people.
He was powerful, rich, and held in highest regard by his fellow-Syrians, but he was leprous, and as good-as-dead. He was a dead-man-walking. There was no cure. No hope.
But there was grace… a grace greater than his sin.
Read the story and marvel at God’s goodness… a goodness and grace that isn’t restricted to good people.
“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).
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