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[Soul Sunday] Amazing Grace; A Sweet Sound
Happy Soul Sunday.....
“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked (Ephesians 2:1, ESV).
?In 1772, John Newton, a former slave owner, wrote the song ‘Amazing Grace’. Today, nearly 250 years later, it is one of the most popular hymns ever written.?It is performed an estimated 10 million times annually and has appeared on over 11,000 albums. It was quoted in Harriet Beecher Stowe’s anti-slavery novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin. It has been recorded by many artists, including Judy Collins, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Elvis Presley. In 2015, President Obama spontaneously sang it at the memorial service for a victim of a heinous church shooting in Charleston, South Carolina. It encapsulates the meaning of God’s grace. Well, we are still singing grace now for those in Buffalo, New York.?I love the song but I don't want to hear it sung about another senseless death of anyone, black, brown, yellow or white.?My prayer is that grace will abound.
Amazing grace is just that. But, why is God’s grace so amazing? What is it that gives us cause for wonder? Why do we love to sing about it? I fear that many people who croon Newton’s song may have no idea. It arouses nice sentiments and warms our hearts, no doubt. But why? What is it really telling us??
?What is grace?
In Ephesians chapter two, Paul the apostle explains it clearly. His approach is fascinating. He begins by taking us to dark depths. Then he raises us to heavenly heights. Finally, he brings us back to everyday life on earth.?The first three verses are not comfortable. I struggle to recall a single sermon that has dealt with them in detail (including my own!). We tend to skip over them and jump right on to the more encouraging parts. But the point is that we cannot understand why grace is so amazing until we realize how desperate our condition would be without it. And that means facing honestly why we are so much in need of it and how bleak our lives would be otherwise.??
The apostle begins with a bold, confronting statement: You were dead in trespasses and sins. The word ‘trespasses’ has to do with slipping off the path and going astray. We might say it refers to accidental sin. The problem is that even accidental sin is toxic. Poison taken unintentionally can still kill. We know this problem all too well. With the best of intentions, profit leads to the worst outcome: sin, death and destruction.
The word ‘sins’ is more general and includes deliberate or intentional sins. Such actions also condemn us and infect us like a deadly disease. For instance, like not taking care of our babies by voting no, or limiting the harm that can come through access to assault weapons meant for the battlefield and not neighborhoods. My Lord.
The good news is that, either way, grace is part of the answer and the solution.?Actions must still be taken and when we don’t, we fail and fall short of Amazing Grace.
?What next?
1. Where have you been given amazing grace in your life??
2. How does?grace fit into your everyday plan (life, career, business, love etc)??
3. Can you identify three areas where you want your grace to increase???
Let us pray...
?Here is a prayer that I recorded for a prior weekly call. ?(start at 1:33)
Amen!
领英推荐
Meditation:?God's grace is Amazing...
Love??Lisa?
P.S.?I have one more private coaching spot. If you are interested, simply reply,?Coach.
Plus, whenever you’re ready… here are 4 ways we can help you increase your income and impact, as a overcoming dreamer -?Say Yes?
And?do not be conformed to this world, but?be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may?prove what?is?that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”?(Romans 12:2)