Letters That Continue to Speak III: Grace in the Blade

Last week we looked at a letter from John Newton to a student studying for ministry work. This week’s letter is also from Newton, but it is general in its focus. Titled Grace in the Blade, Newton displays his shepherding heart to a young believer. He describes the experience of many Christians who are babes in Christ, including the doubts, fears, encouragements, and victories.

This is not the season when a Christian is, as he says, “laden with ripe fruit,” but he rather “has a peculiar beauty in blossom.” The fruit is not fully present as it will be, but the beginnings of that fruit are being produced. The young Christian may be discouraged by this reality, but Newton says it should be encouraging because there is currently life where before there was only death. There is an interest in and a love of God where previously there was only apathy, disdain, or enmity.

For those who are further down the path of walking with Christ, Newton also offers some sweet and practical advice for walking alongside these baby Christians and helping them grow in grace.

Next week we will read Grace in the Ear, the second letter of this three-installation communication.You can find the text of all the letters we have discussed in this series at the links below.

Read this week’s letter here: Grace in the Blade

Read the letter we will discuss in next week’s episode here: Grace in the Ear

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The Whole CounselSarah Snyder