David Bahn – Reflections

Romans 5:18-6:2

Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life forall 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.

6:1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?

The Good News of God’s love and grace is a deep and inexhaustible wellspring of blessing. The simple but remarkable truth is that God’s grace is abundant to the extent that it never runs out because sin depletes it. Though sin may abound, and evil may flourish, grace abounds all the more and God’s gifts flow forth richly. The more sin, the more grace. It’s God’s ultimate word and final answer.

Recently, however, I was asked a very unexpected question: “What is grace?” On the one hand the answer is simple: “Grace is ‘God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.’” That acrostic really does help one define grace. Embracing that grace and experiencing God’s gifts is far more rich than even the best definition or acrostic. God’s riches come to us in the form of answered prayers, daily provision, protection, joy, and all good things – chief of which is the forgiveness of sins, the hope of the resurrection and the promise of eternal life: God’s gift of salvation. These all come to us at Christ’s expense. And there is always an abundant (more-than-enough) supply of God’s grace.

So the question comes: If God’s grace does not run out, why not sin more so that we can experience more of it? Why not drink deeply of God’s love and grace, forgiveness and joy of our redemption by sinking deeper into the miry pit of sin and degradation? Because grace, after all, will not run out. Something has happened in the heart and lives of those who have been captured by God’s grace. We have died to sin, through the grace of God. We have been shown a better and new way of life. We live no more in sin, but in grace. Such grace is not depleted by sin. But sin has lost its sway. It is the way of death. We live in grace, and that’s where we find the truest joy.