Grace for All

One of the most popular and oft sung songs of the church is "Amazing Grace."  It was written in 1772 by John Newton.  At the time the song was written, John Newton was an ordained Anglican priest; however, earlier in his life, he was a captain of a ship hauling slaves out of Africa.  It is hard to imagine a man with such a background writing such a hymn, but then as we read the words it is obvious that Newton is writing about a transformation personally experienced.  Even as it is hard to imagine Saul of Tarsus becoming Paul the Apostle, it is hard to imagine a slave trader becoming a preacher of the gospel.   

We have all known stories of personal transformation.  Jesus is not partial to folks who have a good track record of being moral and living decent lives.  When Jesus was dying on the cross, there was a convicted criminal dying beside him who according to his own words was receiving what he deserved.  As the criminal was dying, he said to Jesus, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.  To this thief Jesus said, "Truly, I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise."  (Luke 23:42-43).  

We do not know the crime of the thief, but we do not need to know.  Jesus knew and it did not matter.   None of us have lived in such a way as to put us outside of God's mercy and grace.  There is nothing in our past which is beyond the forgiveness of God.  Neither is there anyone of us who becomes unfit for Kingdom work because of the things we have done,   God does not forgive us to put us in a heavenly trophy room, but to put us to work as servants who make a difference in His work on this earth.  This is not just true for some, but all and that includes you and me.