Friday, July 3, 2009

Growing old ain't bad

I just ran across this quote by Amazing Grace author John Newton. Pretty inspiring stuff.

"For to me, to live is Christ—and to die is gain!" Philippians 1:21

Dear friend,
You kindly inquire about my health. I am, through the grace of God—perfectly well. Yet, as healthy as I am—I labor under a growing disorder, for which there is no cure—I mean old age. I am glad that it is a mortal disease, from which I will not recover! I would not always want to live in such a poor world as this! I have a Scriptural hope of a glorious inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—reserved in heaven for me!

I am now in my seventy-second year, and have lived long enough. I have known something of the evils of life—and have had a large share of the good things of life. I know what the world can do—and what it cannot do. It can neither give nor take away that peace of God which passes all understanding; it cannot soothe a wounded conscience, nor enable us to meet death and eternity with comfort.

I have an abiding and abounding experience, that the Gospel is the "universal remedy" adapted to all our wants and all our woes; and a "suitable help" when every other help fails!

Your affectionate friend,
John Newton


http://www.gracegems.org/Grace_Gems.htm

1 comment:

Unknown said...

What a great quote----of course I am a little further along the journey....very meaningful!