Location: BlogsDaily Manna Devotional
Posted by: Daily Manna Saturday, June 23, 2012

Amazing Grace
TEXT: ROMANS 11:1-12

Key Verse : “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work” (Romans 11:6).

John Newton, an English poet and clergyman, wrote the hymn “Amazing Grace.” The song, which has a message of God’s forgiveness and redemption, was a testimony of his salvation after being enmeshed in sin. Newton’s life, at a time, for those who knew him, was characterized by arrogance and recalcitrance. As a sailor, he engaged himself in slave trade to eke out a living. On several instances, he made a nuisance out of a ship captain, creating obscene poems and songs about him. Sequel to these abnormal behaviours, he was imprisoned, chained like the slaves and forced to work on a plantation in Sierra Leone near the Sherbro River, aside from being nearly stabbed to death. Out of God’s mercy and love, he got converted. On a memory lane, Newton sang the song, which expressed God’s amazing grace to save him. He said: “How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see.”
Our text aptly explains this amazing grace of God. It depicts God’s unqualified love for Israel. The Jews missed the Messiah because they thought they had figured things out perfectly about His coming. Paul noted that in spite of this, God did not abandon them. He brought out the case of Elijah, who thought he was the only one standing for God. God made Elijah understand that He still had seven thousand men, who had not worshipped the image of Baal.
Salvation is by the grace of God, not by works. Today, many people, like the Jews, are living in self-delusion. Some are employing carnal methods to justify righteousness, while others are seeking for another messiah. Others condemn people instead of perfecting holiness with the fear of God.
The grace of God abounds and God does not abandon those whom He loves and has chosen. As His commitment to the Jews was, so also is His commitment to those who have placed their trust and confidence in Christ. God will not forsake you.

Thought for the Day : God’s grace never comes too late; seek for it.