Changing Sides

Changing Sides

Bible: Ephesians 2:1-10

Reading

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive
with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions (VV.4-5).

In the 1700s, John Newton went to sea with his dad on a trading ship. Soon after his dad retired, Newton was forced to work on a warship. Living in awful conditions, he ran away and later began to work on a slave ship that was setting sail for Africa. Newton hardened himself to the horrific slave trade, and eventually he became captain of his own slave ship. On 10 May 1748, however, his life was changed forever. His ship was hit by a violent storm. Just as it seemed that they would sink, Newton cried aloud, “Lord, have mercy upon us!” That night in his cabin, he began to talk to God for the first time. He realised he needed God, not just in the storm, but for everything. While in West Africa he trusted Jesus for himself, and then everything changed. He left the slave trade and actually became a church leader. He is most remembered for his much-loved hymn “Amazing Grace”, which is often sung in churches even today. God’s Spirit shows us the sin in our lives and gives us the power to change from death to life (EPHESIANS 2:4-5). When we trust Jesus for ourselves, we switch teams—everything changes. God does for us what we are unable to do in our own strength. He makes us “alive with Christ” (V.5).

HE HAS RESCUED US FROM THE KINGDOM OF
DARKNESS AND TRANSFERRED US INTO THE
KINGDOM OF [JESUS]. COLOSSIANS 1:13 NLT

Youth Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries