"I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I want to be, I am not what I hope to be in another world; but still I am not what I once used to be, and by the grace of God I am what I am"
About John Newton
John Newton — Life and Legacy
John Newton was a prominent 18th-century English clergyman whose life journey from slave trader to abolitionist profoundly shaped his thoughts and writings. His most famous work, 'Amazing Grace,' is not just a hymn but a reflection of his personal transformation and deep understanding of grace. Newton's key ideas center around the themes of redemption and moral awakening, as he often articulated the belief that anyone, regardless of their past, could find forgiveness and a new path through faith. One of his well-known quotes emphasizes that 'it is a great thing to be a Christian,' showcasing his conviction that true faith leads to a radical change in one’s life and actions. Newton challenged the prevailing norms of his time, particularly regarding the ethics of slavery, as he moved from being a participant in the trade to a vocal opponent. His writings reveal a man deeply aware of his own failings and the grace that allowed him to change. Today, Newton's quotes resonate with those grappling with their own moral dilemmas, as they highlight the enduring relevance of faith and the possibility of redemption. His legacy continues to inspire discussions on justice, compassion, and the transformative power of belief.
Quote collection
John Newton quotes (page 1 of 4)
77 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"Although my memory's fading, I remember two things very clearly: I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior."
"When people are right with God, they are apt to be hard on themselves and easy on other people. But when they are not right with God, they are easy on themselves and hard on others."
"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."
"I compare the troubles which we have to undergo in the course of the year to a great bundle of sticks, far too large for us to lift. But God does not require us to carry the whole at once. He mercifully unties the bundle, and gives us first one stick, which we are to carry today, and then another, which we are to carry tomorrow, and so on. This we might easily manage, if we would only take the burden appointed for us each day; but we choose to increase our troubles by carrying yesterday's stick over again today, and adding tomorrow's burden to our load, before we are required to bear it."
"We can easily manage if we will only take, each day, the burden appointed to it. But the load will be too heavy for us if we carry yesterday's burden over again today, and then add the burden of the morrow before we are required to bear it."
"Whoever is truly humbled — will not be easily angry, nor harsh or critical of others. He will be compassionate and tender to the infirmities of his fellow-sinners, knowing that if there is a difference — it is grace alone which has made it! He knows that he has the seeds of every evil in his own heart. And under all trials and afflictions — he will look to the hand of the Lord, and lay his mouth in the dust, acknowledging that he suffers much less than his iniquities have deserved."
"When I was young, I was sure of many things; now there are only two things of which I am sure: one is, that I am a miserable sinner; and the other, that Christ is an all-sufficient Saviour. He is well-taught who learns these two lessons."
"Our work is great; our time is short; the consequences of our labors are infinite."
"May we sit at the foot of the cross; and there learn what sin has done, what justice has done, what love has done."
"Thou art coming to a King, large petitions with thee bring, for His grace and power are such none can ever ask too much."
"If the Lord be with us, we have no cause of fear. His eye is upon us, His arm over us, His ear open to our prayer - His grace sufficient, His promise unchangeable."
"Christ has taken our nature into Heaven to represent us; and has left us on earth, with His nature, to represent Him."
"This is faith: a renouncing of everything we are apt to call our own and relying wholly upon the blood, righteousness and intercession of Jesus."
"All shall work together for good; everything is needful that He sends; nothing can be needful that He withholds."
"Assurance grows by repeated conflict, by our repeated experimental proof of the Lord's power and goodness to save; when we have been brought very low and helped, sorely wounded and healed, cast down and raised again, have given up all hope, and been suddenly snatched from danger, and placed in safety; and when these things have been repeated to us and in us a thousand times over, we begin to learn to trust simply to the word and power of God, beyond and against appearances: and this trust, when habitual and strong, bears the name of assurance; for even assurance has degrees."
"God sometimes does His work with gentle drizzle, not storms."
"Though troubles assail And dangers affright, Though friends should all fail And foes all unite; Yet one thing secures us, Whatever betide, The scripture assures us, The Lord will provide."
"There is many a thing which the world calls disappointment; but there is no such thing in the dictionary of faith. What to others are disappointments are to believers intimations of the will of God."
"The Christian must know that the season, measure, and continuance of his sufferings are appointed by Infinite Wisdom, and designed to work for his everlasting good; and that grace and strength shall be afforded him according to his need."