On the grave of John Newton, author of "Amazing Grace," are these words:
John Newton, Clerk. --- Once an infidel and libertine, --- A servant of slaves in Africa, --- Was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Saviour, --- Jesus Christ, --- Preserved, restored, pardoned, --- And appointed to preach the faith. --- He had long labored to destroy.
On one occasion Newton said to a friend, "I am not all that I should be or what I want to be, but thank God I am not what I used to be."
He wrote his testimony. --- Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, --- That saved a wretch like me. --- I once was lost, but now I'm found, --- Twas blind but now I see.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
It doesn't matter what you did or how you lived, you are God's when you trust in Him. He takes you from an old life and gives you a new life. He claims you as a trophy of grace.
Thanks to Calvary I'm not the person I used to be. I've been changed.
