- The reign of Grace: Paul says: The trespasses are increasing more and more in the light of law. “But where sin increased, grace all the more increased” (5:20b). It is the grace of God that when sin increased, God’s judgement and wrath should have increased more and more, but our God is slow to anger and abounding in mercy. The greatest good-news is that where sin increased, God’s grace increased all the more. The greatness of grace is much more than the consequences of sin.
- God’s love is so great that grace abounded much more where we might have expected God’s wrath.
- It is impossible to out-sin the grace of God. In other words, we can’t sin more than what God can forgive, but we can reject God’s grace and His forgiveness.
The way sin reigned death, God’s grace reigned life through His righteousness and eternal life through the Lord Jesus Christ. The Grace of God not only gives us eternal life, but also keeps us in sanctified and disciplined life. As Grace is nothing but unmerited favour, the Grace of God calls for a dedicated selfless life, opposed to worldly patterns, lusts etc. every believer must lead an exemplary life.
Grace was not an addition to God’s plan, but grace was a part of God’s plan from the very beginning. God dealt with Adam and Eve in grace, He dealt with the patriarchs in grace and He dealt with the nation of Israel in grace. He gave the Law through Moses, not to replace His grace, but to reveal man’s need for grace. Law was temporary, but grace is eternal.
A few thoughts of about Grace (thoughts taken from David Guzik)
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- God’s grace reigns through righteousness.
- God’s grace teaches righteousness.
- God’s grace reigns to eternal life.
- God’s grace reigns through Jesus Christ.
- A life of grace is all about Jesus Christ and others.
- God’s grace respects God’s righteous standards.
- Grace is no friend of sin.
- Grace doesn’t reign through self, but only through Jesus Christ.
- Grace confronts.
- God’s grace is greater than our sins.
- God’s grace is greater than our failures and mistakes.
- God’s grace is greater than our frustrations, weaknesses and shortcomings.
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Ex: The beautiful story of Christian in Pilgrim’s progress by John Bunyan, where the Christian finally reaches abode with all difficulties, misunderstandings etc. The last words he says is “Grace reigns.”.
A few questions to answer before we move to next chapter:
- How can we rejoice in our sufferings? (5:3)
- How has God’s love changed my heart? (5:5)
- Was there a time in my life when I was an ungodly sinner, an enemy of God? (5:6-10)
- Do I believe that everyone is counted guilty because Adam sinned? (5:12-19)
- Do I believe that I can be counted righteous because of Christ? (5:19-20)