Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound, that Saved a Wretch Like Me!

Over a year ago, I moved to Florida from Arizona.  My housing situation changed when my housemate, who was the homeowner, suddenly decided to marry and sell his house.  I talked to close friends about housing but none were able to help me.  

I also looked into low income housing but it was still out of my price range.  I also looked into government assisted living.  Nothing was available for over a year.  My situation was desperate.  I was looking at homelessness.  

I posted about my need for housing on Facebook.  A couple in FL saw the post and invited to come and live in their basement free of charge.  I made the move.  I also began to pay them $600 a month in rent contrary to their desire. 

I was very grateful to God for this provision and sought to serve the couple and extended family by helping them walk through difficult challenges of their own. 

In September of this year, however, the nature of my platonic friendship with the wife turned sinful. We began to relate in limited, but serious, sexual activity.  The husband discovered it.  This led to a meeting where we were confronted.  In that context, I asked forgiveness for my sins.  Thereafter, I moved out the house and to another area.  

I am grateful for God’s discipline and I am now experiencing the consequences.  The Lord is just but he is also merciful.  He has not dealt with me according to my sins and I look forward to serving him in the future as he allows.  

For clarity, and without minimizing my sin, I have never been sexually involved with another woman over the past 43 years.  That is when I married.  My wife is deceased.  Nor was the wife ever involved with another man.  She too asked forgiveness of her husband.  She is a fine woman. 

My greatest passion in life is to see the gospel of Jesus Christ shared with those separated from God.  Yet, I have brought reproach upon this endeavor through my hypocrisy and various enemies (e.g., those who have committed crimes and covered up crimes) will use it to discredit me and my work.  This produces great regret. 

I also lament the impact of my sin upon those who are friends and supporters.  You have trusted me and I have betrayed that trust.  I sincerely ask your forgiveness. 

I know my sin is great but I also know God’s grace is greater still.  I marvel that the Holy One freely forgives me in Christ Jesus because he died in my place and suffered the punishment I deserve.  Even more, Jesus imputes his perfect righteousness to my account which is the basis of my acceptance by God forever.  Praise his holy name! 

“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me…”  This is more than an old adage to a famous hymn.  It is a blessed reality.