Where are we, and why are we here?
Perhaps we are a work in progress. On our way somewhere? Having come from somewhere. Perhaps getting better becuase of the experience.
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John Newton wrote the song "Amazing Grace" that became a favorite for Christians largely because the hymn vividly and briefly sums up the doctrine of divine grace. The lyrics are based on I Chronicles 17:16, where King David marvels at God's choosing him and his house. Newton apparently wrote this for use in a sermon he preached on this passage. He felt bad about the past in the slave trade and wanted to be better.
It has also become known as a favorite with supporters of freedom and human rights, both Christian and non-Christian, in part because many assume it to be his testimony about his slave trading past.
I saw this movie a week or so ago. Good movie by the way. Having thought about the song, the movie, the message, and events, the question of "why are we here" is interesting to think about, as is the question of “Grace”. Newton celebrated it with this song. Of course it seems clear that after we do all that we can do we can never do enough to repay the gift of life and to really make up for our own mistakes, so thank goodness for the "Grace" of He who can make up the difference. On the other hand Newton turned away from what he had done. He wished he had never done things he considered wrong. He had remorse for his past. He worked hard to change things. “Works”, is what a lot of folks call what he did the rest of his life as he celebrated “Grace”.
“If we “work” upon marble, it will perish, if we work upon
brass, time will efface it; if we rear temples, they will
crumble into dust. But if we work upon immortal souls,
if we imbue them with principles, with the just fear
of the Creator and love of fellow men, we engrave on those
tablets something, which will brighten all eternity
It has also become known as a favorite with supporters of freedom and human rights, both Christian and non-Christian, in part because many assume it to be his testimony about his slave trading past.
I saw this movie a week or so ago. Good movie by the way. Having thought about the song, the movie, the message, and events, the question of "why are we here" is interesting to think about, as is the question of “Grace”. Newton celebrated it with this song. Of course it seems clear that after we do all that we can do we can never do enough to repay the gift of life and to really make up for our own mistakes, so thank goodness for the "Grace" of He who can make up the difference. On the other hand Newton turned away from what he had done. He wished he had never done things he considered wrong. He had remorse for his past. He worked hard to change things. “Works”, is what a lot of folks call what he did the rest of his life as he celebrated “Grace”.
“If we “work” upon marble, it will perish, if we work upon
brass, time will efface it; if we rear temples, they will
crumble into dust. But if we work upon immortal souls,
if we imbue them with principles, with the just fear
of the Creator and love of fellow men, we engrave on those
tablets something, which will brighten all eternity
by Daniel Webster.
“The world works from the outside in, The Lord works from
the inside out”
“The world works from the outside in, The Lord works from
the inside out”
by Ezra Taft Benson
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Amazing Grace
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Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)
Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)
That sav’d a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears reliev’d;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believ’d!
Thro’ many dangers, toils and snares,
Thro’ many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;’
Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promis’d good to me,
The Lord has promis’d good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
and mortal life shall cease;
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who call’d me here below,
Will be forever mine.
John Newton, Olney Hymns (London: W. Oliver, 1779)
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