Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace

This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. 1 Timothy 1:15

There are two aspects to this verse. First, remembering Christ’s mission in coming to earth—“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” It’s like a basketball player late in a close game who is called for a foul that could have gone either way. The hostile crowd roars at him, and he’s got a choice—remember the mission of winning the game, gather himself, and move on, or get caught up in the emotion of being “wronged” and lose his focus, and perhaps even get called for a technical foul that will probably cost his team their ultimate goal of winning. Throughout His life among us on earth, Christ never lost sight of why He came.

The second aspect is realizing our shortcomings. If the apostle Paul thinks he is the worst sinner of all—“I am the worst of them all”—then where do I fit in that measurement? Rather than taking it literally, however, Paul is recognizing how far he has to go to match the level of Christ. Here Paul reminds us that our measuring stick is not compared to others, but to Christ. That we might be able to say, “Well, I know I’m better than that guy” or “I’m certainly not as bad as her” may make us feel better, but it is not the standard against which Christ is measuring our walks as His disciples. According to that standard—Christ Jesus—we all fall short.

In the movie Amazing Grace, chronicling the life of British statesman and antislavery spokesman William Wilberforce, there is a scene where Wilberforce meets former slave ship captain turned clergyman John Newton, who makes the powerful statement, “Although my memory is fading, I remember two things very clearly: I am a great sinner, and Christ is a great Savior.”

Both of those self-professed thoughts became part of Newton’s greatest hymn, “Amazing Grace.”

Can you say the same for yourself? Do Newton’s words ring true for you?

Uncommon Key > Sing or read the words to John Newton’s most famous hymn, “Amazing Grace.” And thank God that He gave that gift of grace to you!