But perhaps it is a more overt example of God’s continuing, gradual work in changing hearts. Some critics say it is hypocrisy that a Christian continues in a manner of egregious sin, such as Newton continuing in the slave trade even after his conversion. It was years before he stopped his work in the slave trade, but once he did, he was active in fighting against slavery. At times he fell to the temptations of lust and love of money. Though Newton noticed a growing sympathy for the slaves he handled, he continued working in the trade. However, he later admitted, “I cannot consider myself to have been a believer, in the full sense of the word.” By the time they returned from their voyage, he was converted. It was on this night that he was made aware of the wickedness of his sins, but he was finally convinced of something else, too-that God’s grace could save even him. One day in 1748, when caught in a severe storm at sea, Newton prayed for God to have mercy, and the storm began to calm. He briefly worked in a merchant’s office but lost the job due to “unsettled behavior and impatience of restraint.” After each fall, he would remember what his mother taught him and attempt to turn things around, but without grasping the Lord’s grace, his religion was powerless and temporary. Newton gave in to temptation without pause and lived for the pleasures of the world. After a few years of enslavement and mistreatment at her hands, Newton was rescued and returned to England. He was left with a slave trader in West Africa, whose wife-a princess of the Sherbro people-abused him and accused him of theft. After the navy he became involved in the slave trade, but he was treated poorly and was soon left begging for food. But he was soon caught again, put in irons, and flogged. He was press-ganged (compulsorily recruited) into the Royal Navy, which he later deserted due to his desire to be with his future wife Mary, whom he loved dearly. Newton spent most of his childhood and adolescent years at sea. When he was just eleven years old, he went on a voyage with his father, who was a merchant navy captain and arguably not as positive of an influence as his mother. However, she died before he turned seven, so her ability to nurture him in the ways of the Lord ceased. She taught him Scripture, catechisms, and hymns, including those of well-known hymn writer Isaac Watts. John Newton’s mother had a strong Christian influence over him. How do we reconcile these two things? Let’s take a closer look at this influential man who saw the ugliness of his sin and the greater beauty of Christ’s mercy. John Newton (1725-1807), who wrote this hymn and many others, was marred by the stain of the slave trade both before and after he accepted Christ. I can relate to this, yet its words-especially when viewed in the context of when and by whom they were written-give me a fresh wave of wonder at grace freely given. Some of us are tired of the hymn “Amazing Grace,” thinking it’s overplayed and lacks freshness.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |