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Why is the hymn, Amazing Grace, so popular?

by John Clark 
07/15/13
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The hymn, "Amazing Grace" is the most popular one of all time. Not only do Christians sing it, but it is also sung or played at family reunions and at secular concerts. This article simply shares my personal opinions, as to why this is so. People love the concept of grace. We have grace periods for paying our bills. Grace has a nice ring to it. It tells us that something will help us do things we can't do for ourselves, or give us more time. For Christians, it is in line with the biblical teaching of being saved by grace apart from works. The question concerns non-Christians. Why is it so popular among them? I believe there is an undercurrent of thought that is very pervasive in our culture, the thinking that everyone is saved. However, the Christian Bible teaches that salvation is neither universal nor automatic. As a result, there can be a false sense of salvation. Another factor is a belief that a person can live any way he or she desires with no accountability to a Higher Being. This belief also runs counter to biblical teaching. The hymn is popular because many people believe they are saved, and yet they have no relationship with God or any basis whatsover for that belief. Even if people believe in a literal hell, they may not believe they are going there because of God's amazing grace. Grace is the better option. It doesn't matter that they have no basis for their belief; it simply makes them feel good. I don't believe this hymn would be so popular if people considered that receiving grace comes with conditions. We must call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, and His grace should not be taken advantage of by living any way we want to. Maybe another reason why the hymn is so popular is the realization that God accepts people the way they are and makes something good out of them. That is a good thing. However, they must still call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. If that doesn't happen, as was said previously, people are singing this hymn with a false sense of security. How many people at family reunions, secular concerts, or any other place this hymn is peformed, see their need for a Savior?