I’ve been very affected by the song by Chris Tomlin, “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)” incorporating lyrics from John Newton’s famous hymn “Amazing Grace” and would like to provide a link to this music video below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jbe7OruLk8I&feature=related

One thing that the Lord has showed me is that in the first verse of John Newton’s famous hymn, where he says, “That saved a wretch like me” is that I, now that I know that I am a new creation in Christ, can no longer sing that line in the present tense, because in the sight of God I am no longer a wretch but am “accepted in the Beloved” as scripture tells me…

Because of the Lord’s great love to me, “while I was yet a sinner”, when Christ died for me, I am now a “saint by calling”, “because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy” (Heb 10:14 NIV), we are, as the elect of God, already holy in the sight of God in the spirit (the spiritual realm) and are practically being made holy by the Holy Spirit in the physical (the physical realm) as He, the Holy Spirit, reveals His truth “to our innermost beings” as scripture tells us…

“The Lord has promised good to me, His word my hope secures” (John Newton) – O Praise You Jesus that You paid the penalty and have opened the way into the Holy of Holies that by Your Blood, Your shed Blood we can “come boldly to the Throne of Grace to find grace to help in time of need” as Your scripture says…

Thank You Jesus for Your sanctifying work in the life of all who are Yours, You love us and sanctify us and make us like You, You are truly the Lover of our souls, You delight over us with singing and we are the apple of Your eye…

Thank You Jesus for Your faithfulness to me over the course of my life to date (nearly 39 years), I love You Lord and I especially love You for Your great faithfulness in Your lovingkindness towards me in Christ Jesus that “while I was yet a sinner, Christ died for me”…

Praise You Jesus that You paid the penalty which released me from the penalty of sin and which is, as the days go by, releasing me, more and more, from the practice of sin in my life as You establish Your life in me…

I worship You Lord that Your grace is sufficient for me for Your power is made perfect in my admission of weakness…

In weakness, in knowing that I am weak – that I am incapable of doing anything which can please You – then I am strong – when Your Spirit rises up within me and lives through me, bringing glory to Your Name…

You are an Awesome God and we praise You, You are worthy of all our praise, from all around the world tonight Father God, You are worthy of all our praise, whatever praise we have within us, You are worthy of it, in the mighty Name of Jesus, be Glorified, Thank You Holy Spirit, in Jesus Name, Amen and Amen…