John Newton, author of Amazing Grace, a song about his journey from despair to hope, acquired the wealth he believed he needed to marry his childhood sweetheart by captaining slave ships. He did not challenge the slave trade until 40 years after he left seafaring and was an ordained minister. In advocating for a Bill of Abolition in the English Parliament, he said, "I hope it will always be a subject of humiliating reflection to me. . .that I was once an active instrument in a business at which my heart now shudders."
We might not have caused diseases, starvation, and death as Captain Newton did, but if we think our sin does not hurt God, ourselves, and others, we are kidding ourselves. Amazing grace is not without a price. We must 'fess up, come clean, remove what blinds us and really see the impact of our words and conduct.
Rats! I just spoke a harsh word to my husband, wife, friend, child, coworker. Did I notice the expression on their face? Yeah, I meant to leave a bag of food for the hungry on the front step for the Scout food drive, but things were really hectic that day. Oh, well, next time. Do I think the hungry can wait? Dang! I just ate that fat, sugar, and calorie-laden, nutritionally void bowl of ice cream. Do I really believe that I am valued by God, the one who valued my body enough to become one? I'm running late; I'll just get some fast food hamburgers at the drive-thru in my 10-12 mpg truck. Hmm. . .trees in the rain forest felled for beef production, wheat acreage decreased for corn to make ethanol, less food for those whose daily diet is primarily from wheat and corn.
Do I honestly think I am that different from John Newton? The degree of our sin does not matter. The same forgiveness, the same grace is available to all - for the asking. |
