Across the Pastor’s Desk by Kent Otterman

In the 1700s, John Newton went to sea with his father on a merchant ship. Soon after his father retired, Newton was pressed into service on a warship.  Facing intolerable conditions, he deserted and later requested a transfer to a slave ship that was soon to set sail for Africa.

Newton hardened himself to the trafficking of human beings, and eventually he became captain of his own slave ship. On May 10, 1748, however, his life was changed forever. His ship encountered a terrifying, violent storm.  Just as it seemed that the vessel would sink, Newton cried aloud, “Lord, have mercy on us!”

That night in his cabin, he began to reflect upon God’s mercy. Through faith in Christ’s sacrifice for him, John Newton experienced God’s amazing mercy and grace in a personal way. In time, he left the slave trade and entered the Christian ministry. Although he became a preacher of the gospel, he is most remembered for his much-loved hymn “Amazing Grace.” The words of this song are a testimony of his own experience. “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch  like me. I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see.”

Even the most sin-hardened person can be saved by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul put it this way: “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners — of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.” (I Timothy 1:15-16).

There is no sin that cannot be forgiven by God if a person will genuinely confess it and turn away from it (repent) and then trust in Jesus Christ as Savior.  Jesus died on the cross so our sins might be forgiven.

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” (I Peter 2:24-25).  Paul writes that “as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.  So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:20-21)

We may not be slave traders like John Newton, but all of us have a wretched part in our heart. Therefore, all of us need God’s grace, mercy and forgiveness. Fortunately, that’s exactly why Jesus came into the world.

The Rev. Kent Otterman is the chaplain at Good Samaritan Society of Albert Lea and pastor of Round Prairie Lutheran Church of rural Glenville and Faith Lutheran Church of London.