Story Behind The Song

If any man is in Christ he is a new creation. Old things have passed away - all things have become new. New life appears to be the defining characteristic of a life that has been surrendered to Jesus. For some the change is more dramatic than others but in all cases it is inevitable. As a new creation Peter leaves a life of timidity to embrace a boldness that surprises his closest friends. Saul of Tarsus abandons a career of religious piety to become the greatest evangelist the world has ever known. Admittedly those are extreme examples but the fact remains that a changed life is the inevitable outcome of every genuine encounter with Jesus.

Lyrics

I heard about a man one day who fell from heaven's grace
And I wondered if he'd been abused but such was not the case
He'd once proclaimed for all to hear that Jesus was the One
But under heavy scrutiny he disavowed the Son

Well the last I heard he preached the word and thousands came to see
The truth about amazing grace and how it came to be
And as he spoke the Spirit fell on everyone that day
In many different languages they all began to pray

And then there was the man who thought that he was living right
Against religious radicals he fought a vicious fight
He finally got the government to outlaw true belief
And he thought he did a righteous deed by causing so much grief

He came on board when he met the Lord who turned his life around
It wasn't long before the Word became his battle ground
The message of salvation spread where ever he would go
The power of God to change a life - he wanted all to know

It happens time and time again - the story of God's love
In spite of man - against all odds - in mercy from above
God reaches down to wayward man entangled in his sin
One moment of surrender - then a new life can begin

How can it be that grace so free extends to everyone
No matter what our history there's freedom in the Son
Who sets us free from every bond that tangles up our lives
And heaven's choir rejoices when each wandering son arrives