Three versions of the classic hymn Amazing Grace.

The first is the original version by John Newton (1725-1807).

The original title was Faith’s Review And Expectation.

The second is the version from Chris Tomlin for the movie Amazing Grace.

The third is a new version from Steve Camp’s blog titled Amazing Graceworks.

Which best represents the Gospel of Jesus and which reflects the state of today’s church?

The original . . .

Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)
That sav’d a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears reliev’d;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believ’d!

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 promis’d 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 call’d me here below,
Will be forever mine.

Amazing Grace by John Newton

(Originally titled Faith’s Review and Expectation, referencing First Chronicles 17:16-17)

The new version by Chris Tomlin . . .

Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)

Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I’m found
Was blind, but now I see

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed

My chains are gone
I’ve been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy rains
Unending love, Amazing grace

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God, Who called me here below
Will be forever mine
Will be forever mine
You are forever mine

By John Newton, Chris Tomlin, and Louie Giglio

And the third version which sadly represents the state of the modern church . . .

AMAZING GRACEWORKS … salvation by cooperation

Amazing Graceworks!How sweet the sound
that saved a blissful bloke like me
I was kinda lost, but now I’m found
Was a bit blind, but now I see

Twas graceworks that taught my heart to cheer
the best that lied within;
And it was graceworks that calmed my fears
And conquered all my sin

Both God and I have done our part
To make redemption mine
My freewill faith changed this stoney heart
And brought me eternal life

So when we’ve been there ten thousand years
‘Cause of all the graceworks we have done
We’ve no less days to share God’s praise
Than when we first begun

New lyrics “mostly” by Campi – adapted from another parody;
Sincere apologies to John Newton

Let Me Be Clear . . .

We are saved, redeemed, rescued by GRACE and GRACE alone!

Here are some of the unsound words we hear from many are:

“God cast His vote. The devil cast his. You split the tie!”

“Just say it and mean it. Be serious.”

“You are saved by grace after you do you part!”

Oh, by the way, Mormons like that last one because the Book of Mormon says:

“For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do,” (2 Nephi 25:23)

Be all you can be and have your best life today 🙂