John Newton is best known for being the author of the hymn Amazing Grace. He was a slave trader turned pastor. He knew the transforming power of the hope of the Gospel. Today I share a modernised and abridged version of a letter he wrote about one of the most well loved phrases in his most famous hymn.
“I Was Blind, but Now I See” (John 9:25, NIV)
“If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God . . . For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:3-6)
Dear friend,
You ask: What is the distinguishing mark of a true work of grace in the soul? If I can help answer that, it will be time well spent.
Sight for the blind
The reason why people in their natural state are utterly ignorant of spiritual truth is that they completely lack the capacity to perceive it. Think of Nicodemus and how he misunderstood Jesus on the new birth (John 3). The supernatural implanting of this spiritual capacity is caused by the Holy Spirit. The Bible often compares the Gospel to light. By nature we are completely blind to that light; by amazing grace, the eyes of the heart are opened. This is the decisive evidence of real conversion.
Among those born blind, some may be clever and accomplished in areas that don’t require sight, but regarding light and colour they are all alike. A blind person may learn the words sun, rainbow, or scarlet, using words borrowed from those who can see then. But they cannot truly imagine them, and cannot talk about these subjects for long without revealing their ignorance. Locke tells of a blind man who concluded scarlet is “like the sound of a trumpet.” That man had about as much knowledge of natural light as Nicodemus had of spiritual light. So too, no amount of study can enable someone to properly understand divine truth, until God opens the eyes of our hearts, and then we will see it all at once.
This image explains the world’s scorn for those who claim to have been enlightened by the Holy Spirit. A blind person isn’t offended when told he can’t see, because everyone around him agrees about sight and proves it by what they can do. But imagine a nation of the blind. If a few visitors said, “We can see,” yet could not prove it in categories the blind could access, they would be ridiculed, opposed, perhaps even expelled. Blind people would likely argue them out of what they could clearly see, and use many arguments to try and demonstrate that there was no such thing as either light or sight. And if, mid-debate, some of the blind suddenly received sight, they would at once confess their old ignorance, but likely suffer harsher treatment as “traitors” to the majority. This is how the followers of Jesus have often been treated by a blind world.
What this implies about amazing grace
- Regeneration is God’s almighty work. Education, effort, or arguments cannot make the blind see. The same God who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” must shine in our hearts “so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.” People can mimic Christian language and even feel stirred by sermons, yet remain sightless until God gives sight.
- Grace is sovereign and effective. Not all receive the outward light of God’s Word; and among those who do, not all perceive it. Some stumble in the middle of the day, not for the lack of light, but for the lack of eyes.
- Those who see were once blind like the rest and could not enlighten themselves.
- It is mercy when people are so aware that they are spiritually blind, and so wait for Jesus to demonstrate his power, and taking part in the means that he has appointed. He sends out his Gospel so that those who are spiritually blind may see. If there is a genunie holy desire for sight it will be answered in due time.
Why preaching matters, and what it cannot do
The preaching of the Gospel is the great tool by which the Holy Spirit opens spiritually blind eyes. Like Moses’ rod, it works because God appointed it. Pastors must work hard and earnestly, speak clearly, and preach the whole counsel of God. But even if they have everything, they have done nothing unless their words are accompanied to their hearers hearts by the power and demonstration of the Holy Spirit. This puts all faithful preachers on the same level, even if they seem to have differing gifts and abilities. Eloquence can stir natural feelings, but only God reaches the heart. Expect His blessing to accompany humble preachers more than brilliantly fluent ones
There is a huge difference between the highest natural achievements and even the lowest degree of grace. Many appear convinced but are not enlightened. They may be afraid of sin’s consequences without seeing its evil. They may seem to want “salvation” without a true spiritual discovery of their own wretchedness and Christ’s great worth. They may hear with joy for a time, and mix with Christians, and then fall away, which should not surprise us, because they had no root. Even though many may fall the foundation of God still stands firmly. Such people never truly saw the beauty of the Gospel. We see this when they return comfortably and habitually to the pollution of the sins of this world, or despite previously being distressed by their sin, return instead to resting in self-righteousness instead of Christ.
“For ignoring the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking instead to establish their own righteousness, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.For Christ is the end of the law, with the result that there is righteousness for everyone who believes.” (Romans 10:3-4, NET)
By contrast, where God gives sight, early views may be blurred, like the man who first saw people “like trees walking” (Mark 8:24). But that light is dawn: weak at first, but it gets brighter and brighter:
“The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.” (Proverbs 4:18, NLT)
God’s work is perfect in kind, although progressive in manner. He will not despise the day of small things. What he begins, he will complete. If you have even a glimpse of Jesus as wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption (1 Cor 1:30), so that His name is precious and your heart leans toward Him, you have strong reason to hope. If the Lord had meant to reject you, He would not have shown you such things.
This spiritual sight is the first sign that someone is a believer. We hold no reserves of grace or strength in ourselves; we need constant supply. If the Lord was to withdraw from us we would be just as well and unskillful as we were at the beginning. The eye is useless in the dark . as it cannot see without light, But even the return of light is no help to the blind. A believer may pass through darkness, yet his spiritual sight remains. Although his exercise of grace may be low, he knows himself, he knows the Lord, and he knows the way to access the throne of grace. His frame of heart and feelings may change, but having seen the Saviour’s person, offices, power, and grace, he cannot be talked out of the Gospel, not even if an “angel” were to preach another gospel, because He has seen the Lord.
May the Lord increase His light in your heart and mine!
Yours,
John Newton
Updated from letter 21 in Newton, J., Richard Cecil (1824) The works of the John Newton. London: Hamilton, Adams & Co., p. 286.
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That sav’d a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
2 ’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears reliev’d;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believ’d!
3 Through many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
4 The Lord has promis’d good to me,
His word my hope secures:
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
5 Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the vail,
A life of joy and peace.
6 The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who call’d me here below,
Will be for ever mine.
7. When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we first begun.
- JOHN NEWTON (last verse was added by a later author)
READ MORE
COMING IN 2026: PREVIEW CONTENT NOW ON ADRIAN’S PATHEOS BLOG
Amazing Grace: How Faith Grows in the Human Heart
Modern English Explanation of Ancient Truths.
By John Newton and Adrian Warnock
Pre-order here
Classic writings updated and a new biography.
300 years after the author’s birth
253 years after he released the world’s greatest hymn, Amazing Grace
This hymn has been recorded more often than any other song of any genre. In the same thirty-six hours which changed the world forever, his close friend William Cowper also wrote God Moves in a Mysterious Way, but then had a crushing mental breakdown from which he never fully recovered. Such powerful grace of God, but marked by terrible suffering. The echoes still reverberate today.
About Adrian Warnock
“Adrian is a first-rate communicator”—Albert Mohler Jr
About John Newton
”I look forward to meeting John Newton” — R. T. Kendall
”One of my heroes”—Tim Keller
“He says it all perfectly”— Martyn Lloyd-Jones
”The memory of his own gracious change of heart and life gave him tenderness in dealing with sinners, and it gave him hope for their restoration” — C. H. Spurgeon
”Why am I interested in this man? Because one of my great desires is to see Christians be as strong and durable as redwood trees, and as tender and fragrant as a field of clover. Oh, how rare are the Christians who speak with a tender heart and have a theological backbone of steel.” — John Piper
”If William Cowper could speak, he’d thank God for not only John Newton, but any friend who prays for and walks beside those with mental illness.” — Joni Eareckson Tada
Preview the content here:
→ I once was blind but now I see
→ Grace Within: The Inner Evidence of Faith
→ How Grace enters the Human Heart
→ Growing in Grace: When Shoots Take Root
→ A modern parable: The Traitors: Spellbound by Lies
More coming soon: subscribe by email or follow on social media
→ The 36 hours that changed the word
and much more…
Adrian Warnock presents a modern English edition of the 18th century classic writings of John Newton (1725-1807), author of Amazing Grace, the world’s greatest hymn and the most recorded song of any genre.
Think of this book as John Newton’s own explanation of his hymn Amazing Grace. His updated autobiography and devotional writings contained in this book form the perfect commentary on his lyrics, demonstrating what really is so amazing about grace.
Modern self-help is no help at all in an existential crisis. These pages contain the secret to genuine personal growth and spiritual transformation. They are simple and yet profoundly deep.
Amazing Grace appears 300 years after John Newton was born, and 253 years after he released his most famous hymn. The result is a seamless blend of Newton’s timeless wisdom with the clarity of thought and plain English that have marked Adrian Warnock’s Patheos blog for more than twenty years, and shapes his other books Raised with Christ, Hope Reborn, and The Traitor Within. Some chapters in this book are modern commentary written by Adrian.
John Newton, the former slave trader turned pastor, wrote letters that still speak to the deepest struggles of our spiritual journeys. In these pastoral devotions, Newton traces how divine grace takes root, grows, and matures in the human heart through three phases: conviction, conflict, and mature contemplation of God’s glory.
The letters in this book are chosen from the thousands preserved from Newton’s vast correspondence, a treasury mined for pastoral wisdom for more than two centuries. A skillful soul physician, Newton describes how grace changes every aspect of a Christian’s life over a lifetime of faith.
Amazing Grace also contains an updated autobiography of this great pastor, with a living interpretation of how significant his extraordinary life still is today. This material and his thoughts on entering Christian Ministry are not included in standard editions of his Works.
Newton becomes for us a vivid example of how God’s grace changes people gradually over time.We meet the rebellious and violent youth, the slave trader who oppressed thousands of innocents, was made a slave himself, and who was found by God’s grace during a storm that nearly sank his ship. This unruly man was pursued, rescued, and transformed by grace.
We learn how over time Newton became a pastor known for his compassion and kindness, most notably demonstrated by his deeply committed care towards the poet William Cowper during his mental illness. Read about how Newton was also a pastor of a whole nation, working for the abolition of the slave trade, and mentoring William Wilberforce for decades.
Newton bridged the gap between the warring denominational movements of his time, a friend of both George Whitefield and John Wesley. He turned his fervor not into the pamphlet flame wars or revival preaching, but into the tenderhearted soul care of the distressed and depressed as they struggled to find greater spiritual freedom and transformation. These pages invite readers not only to understand Newton’s insights, but to experience the living reality of grace in their own lives.
If this book makes you want to read more John Newton, and you do not mind the old English, buy the Logos Bible Software Edition of his Works or a paper version.
The Traitor Within: Understanding and Healing Our Deceitful Hearts
By Adrian Warnock with a chapter by John Newton
Pre-order here
“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” (Jeremiah 17:9, NLT).
And yet our culture tells us to “follow your heart”. No wonder it too is now desperately sick and beyond cure. This book will explore the cultural phenomenon The Traitors as a modern parable as it unmasks the human heart.
Adrian blends his medical insights gained from his work as a doctor and psychiatrist with pastoral wisdom gathered from twenty-five years serving as part of a church leadership team. He witnessed a period of church growth from less than twenty members to thousands.
In recent years Adrian has also experienced chronic illness following his diagnosis with blood cancer, and this book reflects his passion to help others face all kinds of suffering with hope and compassion.
Preview the content here:
→ TV’s The Traitors: Spellbound by Lies
→ How Suffering Revealed What Was in My Heart
→ When Your Body Lies to You: False Messages and Appetites
→ Help when Life Hurts: dealing with specific challenges
More coming in 2026: subscribe or follow on social media
→ Healing Your Body: Practical Tools
→ Follow Your Heart? Not When Your Mind Is Lying to You
→ Healing Your Mind: Taking Every Thought Captive
→ How Lies Create Our Desperately Sick Society
→ Healing Our Broken Society: Work, Friends, and Family
→ Our Deceitful Spirits: Without Hope and without God
→ Healing Your Spirit – Meaning and Religion
→ Forgiven in a Moment. Renewed Over a Lifetime. Glorified for Eternity.
Help When Life Hurts
This article is part of a growing collection, drawing from Adrian Warnock’s medical and psychological expertise, lived experience, and Christian faith.
Click the type of pain you or a loved one are experiencing right now
MLJ: Regeneration= unconscious, Baptism with Spirit= conscious
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