Popular songs come and go, but there are just some songs that are timeless. Take the hymn Amazing Grace, for example. Is there any more beloved hymn?

The lyrics beautifully sum up the Jesus follower’s journey of redemption, God’s divine grace, and the promise of eternal life. And that eternity will be spent praising God for this incredible gift: “When we’ve been there 10,000 years…we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we first begun.” What a beautiful image; it’s no wonder this song is sung at many funerals.

The lyrics become even more powerful when we learn a little about the writer’s dark past as a captain of a slave ship. Later, serving as an Anglican priest, John Newton could think of nothing more evil than those former deeds. He was amazed that God would provide such grace despite his wretched past. It’s from that journey of unearned grace received and redemption that the hymn Amazing Grace was written.

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.
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed!
Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come;
‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.

Are you dragging along guilt and baggage from your past? Leave it at the foot of the cross. There’s no sin too great to disqualify you from God’s forgiveness, love, and amazing grace.

It’s there for the taking; all you have to do is accept.