Christ the Only Savior

Colossians 1:15-23

John Newton, who lived from 1725 - 1807, said when he was 82 years old, "My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things, that I am a great sinner and that Christ is a great savior."

Newton wrote the powerful hymn Amazing Grace that we still sing today.  As many of you know, Newton captained a slave ship. Once during a violent storm as his ship was homeward bound, he feared for his life and found himself praying to a God he didn't know he believed in:  "Lord, have mercy upon us."  His ship was spared, and he began to believe that God had spoken to him through the storm.

Newton didn't immediately abandon the lucrative slave trade, but God worked in his heart, and he gave up seafaring forever several, years later.  During that time, he studied Latin, Hebrew and Greek, and eventually became a minister.  So many people wanted to hear him preach that they had to enlarge his church.  He was a strong influence on William Wilberforce, who led the British government to abolish slavery.

Take a look at today's passage, and read these words in the light of Newton's life:  "Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.  But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight without blemish, and free  from accusation - if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel." (vs. 21-23). 

God redeemed the life of a slave trader!  Good news!  He used John Newton mightily for his kingdom. What is God doing in your life, in my life?

Verses 15-20 set the stage for the verses that follow, and we need to soak in the truth that "He is the image of the invisible God.....For by him all things were created.....He is before all things....He is the head of the body, the church."  And then take up the challenge to 'continue in your faith, established and firm.'  God longs to bless you so that you can bless others.  John Newton's example can inspire us as well - yes, he saved a 'wretch like me,' and he continues to this day to call his people to himself.

Lord, you are in the business of saving souls.  You saved a slave trader, and you saved me.  Thanks be to God.  Help me to shine your light so that others can see and give you thanks and praise.

Amen!