(Read Romans 6:1,2)
This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing.” As we closed out Romans 5 I shared with you how Paul said, “God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.” In a contest between sin and Grace, there is no contest. Where sin abounds, Grace abounds even the more. Now that we are under Grace, provided to us through Jesus the Christ, sin could never overtake Grace. But some misunderstand this to mean that we, as forgiven believers, under God’s undeserved Grace, can continue in sin. Remember, I have shared with you many times that Grace is not freedom TO sin, but rather freedom FROM sin. I am sure the Apostle Paul considered the fact that some might see the message of Grace as a license to sin, so Paul asked the question, “Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace?” The Apostle turned around and answered his own questions, writing, “Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. God cleanses us of sin when we accept Jesus as Lord. We did nothing to earn God’s love. We did nothing to earn His decision to send His Son Jesus to die in our place. We did nothing to deserve Jesus’ sacrifice. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). God sent His son by Grace. Jesus freely died for us by Grace. And now the Holy Spirit lives in us by God’s amazing, unearned and undeserved Grace!
2. The Power of God’s Grace can never be overpowered by sin. Sin is a major problem and it was introduced through Adam. Grace is God’s answer to the sin problem and it was given to us through Jesus. In a contest between sin and Grace, there is no contest. Man’s sin can never overtake God’s Grace. Where sin abounds, Grace abounds even the more (Romans 5:20).
3. Grace is not a license to sin. First of all, those who choose to sin have been doing it just fine without a license. You don’t need a license to sin. But to say that God’s Grace is actually a license to sin is to say that you have missed the message of God’s Grace altogether. God loves you with an everlasting love. He sent His Son to die for you sin. While God did this by Grace and the Bible does teach that Grace abounds over sin, it would be foolish to think that you could keep on sinning to that Grace could keep on abounding. Paul’s answer to that line of reasoning is, “Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?”
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for anointing people to teach me Your Word in ways that I can clearly understand. I now know the purpose of the Law. The Law is Your perfect standard. You gave mankind Your Law to show us what it would look like to be perfect. However, You knew we could never fulfill Your Law in-and-of ourselves. Your standard is perfect, but we are not. Therefore, Your Law was not given to make us right, but rather to show us how wrong we really are and how much we need a Savior. In the Old Covenant You allowed animal sacrifices for man’s transgression. In the New Covenant You sent Your own Son Jesus to die on the cross as the ultimate sacrifice. Jesus, the Lamb of God who came to take away the sin of the world, became both the Atonement Lamb (as an offering for sin) and the PASSOVER Lamb (as an offering for death) at the same time. After the blood of Jesus was shed, there is no need to shed the blood of animals. Jesus paid it all! All to Him I owe. My sin had left a crimson stain, but He washed me white as snow! I have accepted Jesus as my Lord, You have forgiven me of my sin, and I now live under Your amazing Grace. Your Word teaches me that sin used to rule, but Grace rules now! I accept Your Grace, I embrace Your Grace, and I am changed by Grace from the inside-out. I will never be the same. My past is behind me, my divine destiny is before me, and by faith I am determined to maximize the purpose and potential You have placed in me by Your undeserved Grace. I don’t live in sin, I am dead to sin, and sin has no power over me! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
