ROMANS 5
17 For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.18 Therefore, as one trespassled to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For 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 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. – Romans 5:17-21
ROMANS 5 GRACE ABOUNDS WHERE SIN INCREASED
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
Rejoice all those who are in Christ because you are blessed
Grace abounds when you lean on the Lord; you are saved
The law will not make you righteous, it will expose your sins
There is no condemnation to all who are made righteous in Christ.
Paul continues his advocacy for the grace that comes in believing and depending on Christ. He points out continuously the contrast between Adam and Christ. He gives hope to all those who receive this letter. He says that although one man’s disobedience made the whole mankind sinners as well, Christ reversed that condemnation through his sacrifice on the cross which gave all humans a clean slate to start fresh with our relationship with God.
When we do not accept our state of sinfulness and think that we can do something to keep us rely on ourselves, we are going to have a hard time understanding grace. Many false teachings add their own efforts to be saved. In this letter, Paul stresses that grace is a free gift and all we need to do is to rely on the finished work of Christ on the cross. We were justified by that sacrifice of Jesus. We need not add to the work that he has already done. We need to learn to receive that gift humbly and have grateful hearts that acknowledges the greatest gift of all.
REFLECTION
- Why do you think some people find it hard to accept God’s free gift of grace?
