After believing gospel and being gloriously born again, the former slave trader and scoundrel, John Newton, penned the words to the most familiar christian song ever written. “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,” he wrote, “that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see.” You’re probably familiar with many of the details of Newton’s wicked life before conversion and his efforts to end the slave trade. What an amazing testimony to the power of the gospel!

When we hear a testimony of “a wretch” saved out of a life of horrible sin and we’re able to witness a life transformed by the Word and the power of the Holy Spirit, we think, “this is the stuff that great testimonies are made of!”

 

In comparison, some of us may feel our testimony is relatively boring — “…grew up in a Christian home, went to church every Sunday… One day, I became convicted of my sin against God, while at the same becoming convinced from the Bible that only the sacrifice of Jesus could pay the penalty of that sin. I asked Jesus to forgive my sins and give me eternal life… and here I am, still going to church every Sunday, trying to love and serve God…”

 

Both testimonies are exciting! Both were sinners deserving the wrath of God. Both were saved from a life of sin — one was delivered out of the chains of sin; the other, delivered from ever having to experience those dreadful chains, spared from a long life of being a slave of Satan. This is my testimony — and I’m so thankful for the gospel that saved my soul!

 

Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul.

Thank you, Lord, for making me whole.

Thank you, Lord, for giving to me,

Thy great salvation so rich, and free.

 

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Romans 1:16ab)

 

~Pastor David