John Newton is probably best known for writing the hymn, “Amazing Grace.” The son of a sailor and a sailor himself for many years, John makes an analogy of many ocean vessels with that of the Christian life:
“Imagine to yourself a number of vessels, at different times, and from different places, bound to the same port; there are some things in which all these would agree, – the compass steered by, the port in view, the general rules of navigation, both as to the management of the vessel and determining their astronomical observations, would be the same in all. In other respects they would differ: perhaps no two of them would meet with the same distribution of winds and weather.“
Here’s where it gets interesting, as John points out the variety of experiences in getting to the home port:
“Some we see set out with a prosperous gale: and when they almost think their passage secured, they are checked by adverse blasts; and after enduring much hardship and danger, and frequent expectations of shipwreck, they just escape and reach the desired haven. Others meet the greatest difficulties at first; they put forth in a storm, and are often beaten back; at length their voyage proves favourable, and then enter the power with a πλήροφορια, a rich and abundant entrance. Some are hard best with cruisers and enemies, and obliged to fight their way through; others meet with little remarkable in their passage.”
Now comes the connection to the Christian experience:
“Is it not thus in the spiritual life? All true believers walk by the same rule, and mind the same things: the word of God is their compass; Jesus is both their polar Star and their Sun of righteousness; their hearts and faces are all set Zion-ward. Thus far they are as one body, animated by one spirit; yet their experience, formed upon these common principles, is far from being uniform. The Lord, in his first call, and his following dispensations, has a regard to the situation, temper, talents of each, and to the particular services or trials he has appointed them for. Though all are exercised at times, yet some pass through the voyage of life much more smoothly than others.. But he ‘who walked upon the wings of the wind, and measures the waters in the hollow of his hand,’ will not suffer any of whom he has once taken charge, to perish in the storms, though for a season, perhaps, many of them are ready to give up all hopes.“
I find that very encouraging, for though my experience may have opponents and storms, I know who remains in control. And I know the key principles for weathering the storm or enemy: my compass, my Star and Sun, and my final destination.
But John has one more thing worth saying before leaving this analogy:
“We must not therefore make the experience of others, in all respects, a rule to ourselves, nor our own a rule to others; ye these are common mistakes, and productive of many more.“
In particular, John was writing a letter that would go on to describe his moment of salvation. His point is that the circumstances that lead to his conversion are not a rigid rule that must be followed by others. And likewise, the circumstances that lead from his salvation to his spiritual growth are not a once size fits all that must be applied by other believers.
We do have a lot in common: “one body, one Spirit, one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father” (Ephesians 4:4-6). But within that unity there is a uniqueness for how the Lord gives, directs, disciplines, and develops each individual believer.
How amazing is the grace of salvation given to each believer! How amazing is the way God leads each of us along in His grace!
Quotes taken from letter of John Newton, January 21, 1763. Found in page 56-57, The Works of John Newton, vol 1. Edinburgh: Banner of Truth Trust, 2015.