The Gift of Grace

The Gift of Grace

“But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more . . . .” Sin rules through death, but grace rules through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ, our Lord. This is what Paul wants to explain in Chapter 5.

Death reigned through the fall of one man. All of us are convinced of that, and we are all acquainted with it. But not everyone is convinced that we, through the gift of grace, shall much more live and reign through the One, Jesus Christ. V. 17.

Many people believe in the forgiveness of sins through Jesus’ death for us on Calvary, but few people believe in the “much more” salvation by His life after we have become reconciled. V. 10. To “live and reign” is much more than being reconciled. We are justified by faith and have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, “through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” But “not only that.” We can ask: Can we say “only” with regard to what Paul lists in this passage? Vs. 1-3. Yes, in relation to what he says further: “We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces patience . . . .” This will be a completely new life, something that is unique, something that is not human, something that can only come into being through the gift of grace in Jesus Christ. This is what it means to “live and reign.”

Adam’s fall was exceedingly great; it was so great that sin permeated all of mankind, so that when tribulations come, people become impatient, anxious, bitter, and malicious. But don’t you believe that salvation in Christ Jesus can help us out of the fall? Of course, you believe you can receive the forgiveness of sins and be saved from perdition when you die. Alright, but don’t you also believe that we can “live and reign” so that we can partake of the virtues of Christ on the evil day and not sin? If you don’t believe that, then you don’t believe in restoration through Jesus. You don’t believe that grace is much greater than sin. You don’t believe that the life in Christ is stronger than the death in Adam. Thereby you prove that you do not have the courage to glory in your tribulations. We shall not “only” be saved from perdition and receive glory with God, but our tribulations are to work for us a “far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” 2 Cor. 4:17. “For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” Rom. 6:14.

If we have received grace and the gift by the one Man, Jesus Christ, then grace reigns. Rom. 5:15, 21. Sin and grace cannot rule at the same time. The grace that has been perverted has given people the false understanding that grace shall cover the sin we commit. There is no redemption through this false grace. Jude 4. This false grace does not make Jesus Lord and ruler, but would rather have Him as an offering for sin.

Adam’s fall was exceedingly great, but God is mighty to guard you so that you will not stumble, but rather “present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.” Jude 24-25.