A Wretch Like Me

by Jerry Senn

We all know the name of John Newton, the author of the most famous of all religious songs, “Amazing Grace.” He was also a preacher who in earlier life worked on a slave ship for many years, a depraved, abusive human being.

After some years he turned to God as a result of a storm at sea. As he felt he was sure to die, he called on the Master of the Sea, and felt forgiven of his many sins. His confession and turning pitchers what all the saved today have experienced.

Today we honor God when we sing “Amazing Grace” because that grace also saved us from the wretched sins we’ve committed against our Lord. 

Newton later wrote: “By nature I was too blind to know Him, too proud to trust Him, too obstinate to serve Him, too base-minded to love Him.” A “wretch” is a miserable, base, despicable, and vile person. 

“The wages of sin is death”—this includes everyone, including me and you. But the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

One writer said this: “A man who believes himself a sinner, who feels himself sinful, is already at the gates of the kingdom of heaven.” 

Only by facing our own wretchedness without Christ, can God’s grace change us. When Jesus’ crucifiers said to Peter, “Men and brethren, what shall we do, the inspired apostle replied: “Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:28). Only the recognition of sin impelled the 3,000 to respond favorably and they were added by God to the company of the saved (See: Acts 2:41). They then experienced God’s amazing grace personally, as with the redeemed of all the ages.

How Sweet the Sound !!!