One of the biggest hindrances in doing the will of God is the inability to know ourselves in light of who God is and His grace in our lives. The more we know ourselves in sober judgment, the more we will learn to depend on God for everything.
This is why I love John Newton’s quote, “I am not what I ought to be. I am not what I want to be. I am not what I hope to be. But still, I am not what I used to be. And by the grace of God, I am what I am.”
We all want to see transformation in our lives. We all want to change because we know deep in our hearts we are not what we ought to be, not what we want to be nor what we hope to be. But one thing that encourages us is that we have experienced His grace – and it is this grace that will move us along.
John Newton penned the words to this classic hymn:
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believed!
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 promised 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,
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 sun forbear to shine;
But God, who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.