John Newton was the captain of a slave ship. Slaves had no rights and had to do exactly as their new owners told them to do. John brought these people to live as prisoners. 

One day at sea, his ship was hit by a fierce storm. Even hardened sailors realised that they weren’t going to make it on their own. John began to pray and beg for mercy. 

This experience changed his life. He took a stand against slavery and wrote the very famous song Amazing Grace, which has touched millions of people. 

You see, John Newton personally experienced mercy. He, who so readily stole freedom and destroyed lives, was met with a baffling and undeserved mercy when he experienced a crisis. 

This is what Jesus does. He saves people from their storms. He shows up when they’re in trouble. No matter what their life was like before that. No matter what they’ve already done. 

Jesus doesn’t even ask what your life has been like so far or what you’ve done. In other words, He doesn’t ask if you qualify for His grace. He simply appears and works His salvation in people’s lives. 

14Also, we’ve seen for ourselves and continue to state openly that the Father sent his Son as Saviour of the world. 

Thank goodness for grace, because if I had to qualify, I would never have made it. I sometimes wonder what would’ve become of us if we had lived on earth before Jesus’ time? 

When I look around me, many people still don’t realise that Jesus also died for their sins. They don’t even know that there is an option for them to be saved too. 

It’s our privilege and responsibility to proclaim the wonder of salvation through Jesus. As the proverb says, “The only Jesus Christ the world will ever see, is the Jesus Christ in you and me.” 

You and I may be the only people in someone’s life who can show them something about Jesus. If we don’t do this, who else is going to tell them that Jesus came to earth to save them from eternal death? 

Now we are called to revisit this purpose of ours on earth. We must know that each of us are called to tell others about Jesus and, if necessary, we must do it by talking to people about it. 

Let your life be a visible testament to the power of Jesus’ salvation and the reality that He bore the penalty for your sins. Let your way of life tell others about Jesus and light a fire in them to accept Jesus as their Saviour, too. Let our lives sing the song of Amazing Grace. 

A grace so astonishing that it can save even a villain such as I. 

Scripture
1 John 4:7-21 

Reflection
Who in my life may not yet know Jesus?
Does my way of life show others something about Jesus?
How can I help someone today move closer to Him? 

Prayer
Jesus, how can anyone ever thank you for Your selfless act on the cross? By living love! Then let me live love wherever I go. Amen.