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Three wonders
by John Fischer
(Fischtank devotional click here)
If ever I reach heaven I expect to find three wonders there: first, to meet some I had not thought to see there; second, to miss some I had expected to see there; and third -- the greatest wonder of all -- to find myself there. John Newton (1725-1807)
This quote was sent recently by one of our readers in response to a recent Catch of the Day. John Newton was the author of the famous hymn, "Amazing Grace," and the subject of a current running movie by that title.
In this quote, he refers to three types of people. The first are those in heaven he did not expect to see. This is a statement that captures something of the wide sweep of God's grace. You can almost bet God's grace is going to extend farther than ours would. I bet we all have a list of people we would not expect to see in heaven. Well don't be so sure. Actually, it would be best to throw that list away, because no one can see into the human heart but God.
But this leads to an even deeper question: Why wouldn't you want to see everyone there? A heart that has been transformed by God's grace would naturally want everyone to experience the benefits of that grace, for which no sin or combination of sins is too great.
The second distinction belongs to those we would expect to see there but don't. These are the good people who trust in their relative goodness rather than in God's grace. These are those who conform to all the external standards for Christians but never trust Christ for their sins. These are those who wear a path to church and back, meticulously trying to confess every sin, but never believing they were actually forgiven. These are those who play the Christian game and never meet Christ.
And then finally there is John Newton's beautiful expression of his own anticipated astonishment imagining himself in heaven. This should ring true for everyone there. If there is anyone who doesn't deserve to be in heaven, it is me, and yet, lo and behold, I've got my invitation right here! I am the one I am most surprised to see! And if I can get in, knowing my own struggle with sin, then you can... anyone can, who puts their trust in Christ.
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
by John Fischer
(Fischtank devotional click here)
If ever I reach heaven I expect to find three wonders there: first, to meet some I had not thought to see there; second, to miss some I had expected to see there; and third -- the greatest wonder of all -- to find myself there. John Newton (1725-1807)
This quote was sent recently by one of our readers in response to a recent Catch of the Day. John Newton was the author of the famous hymn, "Amazing Grace," and the subject of a current running movie by that title.
In this quote, he refers to three types of people. The first are those in heaven he did not expect to see. This is a statement that captures something of the wide sweep of God's grace. You can almost bet God's grace is going to extend farther than ours would. I bet we all have a list of people we would not expect to see in heaven. Well don't be so sure. Actually, it would be best to throw that list away, because no one can see into the human heart but God.
But this leads to an even deeper question: Why wouldn't you want to see everyone there? A heart that has been transformed by God's grace would naturally want everyone to experience the benefits of that grace, for which no sin or combination of sins is too great.
The second distinction belongs to those we would expect to see there but don't. These are the good people who trust in their relative goodness rather than in God's grace. These are those who conform to all the external standards for Christians but never trust Christ for their sins. These are those who wear a path to church and back, meticulously trying to confess every sin, but never believing they were actually forgiven. These are those who play the Christian game and never meet Christ.
And then finally there is John Newton's beautiful expression of his own anticipated astonishment imagining himself in heaven. This should ring true for everyone there. If there is anyone who doesn't deserve to be in heaven, it is me, and yet, lo and behold, I've got my invitation right here! I am the one I am most surprised to see! And if I can get in, knowing my own struggle with sin, then you can... anyone can, who puts their trust in Christ.
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
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