My Chains Are Gone!

"Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)"

Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy rains
Unending love, Amazing grace

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God, Who called me here below
Will be forever mine
Will be forever mine
You are forever mine


Romans 5:9 in the Amplified Bible says, "Therefore, since we are now justified (ACQUITTED, made righteous, and brought into right relationship with God) by Christ's Blood, how much more [certain is it that] we shall be saved by Him from the indignation and wrath of God."


The Wikipedia Encyclopedia states: "In criminal law, an ACQUITTAL is a verdict of not guilty, or some similar end of the proceeding that terminates it with prejudice without a verdict of guilty being entered against the accused."Christians, therefore, are fully pardoned. They have not only escaped penalty, but have been declared "Not Guilty!" Also according to the Wikipedia: In the common law tradition, an acquittal formally certifies the innocence of the accused, as far as the criminal law is concerned. This is so even where the prosecution is abandoned nolle prosequi. Under the rules of double jeopardy and autrefois acquit, an acquittal operates to bar the retrial of the accused for the same offense, even if new evidence surfaces that further implicates the accused."


What does all this mean? It means Grace is greater than all our sin! Romans 5:15-20 (Amp) explains more: 15) But God's free gift is not at all to be compared to the trespass [His grace is out of all proportion to the fall of man]. For if many died through one man's falling away (his lapse, his offense), much more profusely did God's grace and the free gift [that comes] through the undeserved favor of the one Man Jesus Christ abound and overflow to and for [the benefit of] many.

16) Nor is the free gift at all to be compared to the effect of that one [man's] sin. For the sentence [following the trespass] of one [man] brought condemnation, whereas the free gift [following] many transgressions brings justification (an act of righteousness).

17) For if because of one man's trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive [God's] overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness [putting them into right standing with Himself] reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

18) Well then, as one man's trespass [one man's false step and falling away led] to condemnation for all men, so one Man's act of righteousness [leads] to acquittal and right standing with God and life for all men.

19) For just as by one man's disobedience (failing to hear, heedlessness, and carelessness) the many were constituted sinners, so by one Man's obedience the many will be constituted righteous (made acceptable to God, brought into right standing with Him).

20) But then Law came in, [only] to expand and increase the trespass [making it more apparent and exciting opposition]. But where sin increased and abounded, grace (God's unmerited favor) has surpassed it and increased the more and superabounded!"SUPERABOUNDED! Grace superabounds all our sin. We have been completely and fully pardoned. And now that we are pardoned, His grace rules our hearts and sin no longer has dominion. Grace superabounds within the heart of the Believer! It has increased and surpassed the dominion of sin in our hearts.

Believers who feel that they are "on parole," are being effected by legalism, by religion that is a cruel dictator and places the heavy yoke and burdon of their salvation upon themself. Salvation is a Gift and a Gift cannot be earned. Justification is a Gift, and cannot be revoked. Sanctification is a Gift of Grace working in your heart. It is a Gift and is indelible! Your callings, destiny, giftings and Salvation itself are all irreversible and completely maintained by Grace. When a prisoner is pardoned, he is free, unconditionally, no strings or red tape attached. But when a man is paroled, there are conditions. We are fully pardoned, even our guilt is gone. We are not "on parole." earning or maintaining our freedom, and/or continuing to pay the debts for our crimes.

When we do occasionally sin, we have a Holy Resource offered to us by Grace . . . . the Blood of Jesus Christ His Son (which) cleanses (removes) us from all sin and guilt [and keeps us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations].(1 John 1:7) I remember years ago watching Benny Hinn on TV. And I remember him "warning" people who had just had marvelous healing experiences that they better not sin, "or they would lose their healing!" He would adivise them to go to church, read the Bible, do this and do that or else! Or else they would lose their healing. What blasphemy! What slander to the Character of God and His loving and kind heart. I remember there being no light, only fear, in my heart after hearing that. This is an example of toxic and abusive legalism. The healing was a Gift from God. And the Word of God says in Romans 11:29, "for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." You can contemplate for days on just the "gifts of God's Grace" . . .there are so many. . . but let's focus on healing, deliverance, and salvation! and what IRREVOCABLE really means. Irrevocable means: "that cannot be revoked, recalled, or undone; unalterable." Some synonyms for irrevocable are: permanent, unalterable, irreversible, indelible! I like indelible myself! :) The Gifts and the callings of God are permanent . . are unalterable . . .are irreversible . . . and are indelible! This is Good News. Yes, I believe now more than ever, as a recovering legalist, that "once saved, always saved."


Why? Because of the above. His grace is greater than all my sin. He has removed the dominion of sin from my heart and His Grace SUPERABOUNDS in it's place. "But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound" (Romans 5:20) and His Gifts and callings are irrevocable.

No, He will never revoke your healings, your deliverances or your salvation. You have been fully pardoned and fully acquitted. . . .no penalty, no guilt, you are completely justified and you have the blessed assurance that His grace will lead you Home. No longer are we to be cringing, fearful slaves, but free children who have nothing left against us for Him to even chide us for (Colossians 1:22b - LBV).


The Good News of the Gospel is simply, good news and brings relief to the sinner. John Newton wrote "Amazing Grace." Newton celebrated the greatness of God’s grace because it replaced the dominion of sin in his heart.

"Thru many dangers, toils and snaresI have already come.
‘Tis grace hath bro’t me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home."


No roadblock, no obstacle of Satan, no mountain of struggle is too big, too powerful, too overwhelming to counter the reconstructing character of God’s grace. Those who stand in it cannot be overcome or snatched away from the Father’s hand. “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9a). Furthermore, what this grace has done for us in the past, we can count on it to do for us during the remaining part of the journey until we safely arrive at home in our Father’s House. Amen!