This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (1 Tim. 1:9-10 NIV).

What words did the famous baseball player Mickey Mantle ask to be sung at his funeral? These: 

Yesterday when I was young, the taste of life was sweet as rain upon my tongue…
The game of life I played with arrogance and pride, and every flame I lit too quickly, quickly died.
I ran so fast, that time and youth at last ran out; and now the time has come to pay for yesterday when I was young. 

Mickey turned to everything this world had to offer for happiness: fame, fortune, formal religion, physical prowess, physical pleasure, the bottle. Each in turn promised fulfillment, and all came up empty. 

So, at the end of life, Mickey turned from himself to another. He asked Jesus to forgive him and to save his soul. What difference did that make? Perhaps that’s clear from the final words Mickey Mantle asked to be sung at his own funeral. These:

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am 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.

Such grace is available for all who confess their need of Jesus and trust him to forgive them forever. 

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I confess that I am a sinner in need of the grace of a Savior. I believe Jesus is my Savior.