"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT SIN AND GRACE"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT SIN AND GRACE"

Romans 5:21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Some explanatory thoughts/application/questions and a prayer:

Paul is deep into his lengthy and most wonderful explanation of Justification by Grace through faith. He spends the first 11 Chapters of Romans explaining the need for salvation, and the false view of self salvation by good works, and the unspeakable gift of grace that God has given in and through Jesus Christ, to save all who will repent of their sins and turn to Him in faith.
In this verse today, Paul is contrasting the effect of sin, and the effect of grace. There is sin, and there is grace.

1. The fact is, that sin has entered the world, and all men are sinners, under it's power.
Romans 5:21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Sin entered the world through Adam's disobedience, resulting in all his descendants being born sinners, separated from God.

And living in world controlled by the devil. And, each person having a sinful nature. What a universal tragedy sin has brought.

This is why life is the way it is. It's because of sin. Ultimately, the worst effect of sin is death. Both physical and spiritual. We are dead in our sins, and we are separated from God.

2. The other fact is, that grace has also come into the world, and men can live forever with God by receiving it.
Romans 5:21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Now, here is the good news. Though sin came into the world, so has grace. And while sin reigns in death, grace reigns through righteousness to eternal life.
This means that we do not have to simply remain without God, guilty of sin, and bound for eternal separation from God.

Grace means, that we can now be united with God, no longer guilty, but forgiven of our sins, and given life forever with God.

Sin brings the worst possible experience and eternal outcome. Grace brings the very best life now, and the best life forever and forever.

3. To receive Christ giving us a right standing with God, resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 5:21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Here's how this verse reads in the NLT
Romans 5:21 So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful kindness rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Sin rules, and brings death. But, God who is rich in mercy, even when we were dead in our sins, has made us alive together with Christ, for it's by grace that we have been saved. Instead of death forever, God freely gives us life now, and life forever with Him.

Questions:

1. Are you confident you are saved?

2. When do you think You became saved?

3. Do you have assurance and peace that You are saved?

4. Can you remember what it was like to live under sin's power all the time?

5. How would you describe the change that has come into your life through the grace of God?

6. Do you know that God is going to finish His work in you, and take you to heaven, when it's all said and done?.

7. Finally, as a word of encouragement, do you know that God is working all things together for good in the lives of those who know Him, and love Him?

A prayer:

Father, this verse in Romans says it all. All of life, it's worst and it's best are summed up in this one verse. Sin/Grace. We sinned, but You have provided grace for we who are sinners. Grace is Your free gift to sinners. Faith is also a gift to sinners.
And, so is repentance a gift from God. Your goodness is what leads a person to repent and be saved. Thank You Lord for all that You have done through Christ. And, all that You have done in working in each one of our lives, in making those who believe the children of God, forever and forever.