| "Amazing Grace" is a Christian hymn written by English poet and clergyman John Newton (1725–1807) and published in 1779. With a message that forgiveness and redemption is possible regardless of the sins people commit and that the soul can be delivered from despair through the mercy of God, "Amazing Grace" is one of the most recognized songs in the English-speaking world.
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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.
T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that 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.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.
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.
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"This [Orthodox] understanding of grace is a startling thought for Western Christians to consider: that grace of which we so frequently speak is nothing less or other than God himself. The grace for which we praise God is not merely an influence that God mercifully imparts to or pours out upon us. The divine grace we receive and that works within us IS God.
Western Christianity has emphasized, in keeping with biblical teaching, that grace deals intimately with us, drawing us to God and uniting us to Christ, working the full effects of salvation within us. Grace transforms us, in keeping with God's purposes for us in creation and salvation. Grace brings us into fellowship with God. Even so, the instinctive sense of Western Christianity unreflectively views grace as an influence God exerts upon us--a wonderful and transforming influence which he somehow imparts to us. The Eastern Orthodox presentation of what grace is immeasurably deepens and enriches that awareness of the intimacy of grace. Grace is nothing less than God himself, as work within us. All that grace does within and to us is done not at arm's length or merely through influences, but directly by God."
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