Grace abounded all the more
Romans 5:18-21
18 Therefore just as one man’s trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man’s act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all. 19 For just as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. 20 But law came in, with the result that the trespass multiplied; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, just as sin exercised dominion in death, so grace might also exercise dominion through justification leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Vs. 18 and 19, recap where we have been, that sin came bringing condemnation and then grace came through Jesus’ act of righteousness (his death on the cross). The disobedience was turned by the obedience. But the gnawing question is this, doesn’t death and destruction seem to be winning, how easy is it in quiet moments to think, “Maybe death and destruction just win in the end. Maybe obedience is not worth it.” This question arises as we survey our world.
This then is where the heart of the passage before us today speaks most profoundly, the end of vs. 20. Where sin and death seem to bring destruction with no end, grace abounds all the more. In the end grace triumphs. In the end the quiet ways of grace, the self-giving of Jesus Christ, and his commitment to obedience are all greater than the powers of death and destruction. When the way is threatening, and following seems futile we come back to this – “where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.”
When people say that they cannot possibly be loved by God, let alone forgiven by God, the truth remains that God’s grace overwhelms the guilt and shame, and offers grace.
The verse from “Amazing Grace” that sings:
Through many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
Reminds us that grace, God’s grace, will bring us home to the place where we can be at home, be at rest. This grace has brought us this far, and God will complete the task bringing us into eternal life in Jesus Christ. Grace will not fail, its mission will be fulfilled.
PRAYER:
O Lord God, your grace is greater than our sin, greater than our fear, greater than the powers of death and destruction, remind us of this great truth, so that we might live in hope and trust in You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.