A Short Study of Romans 5:20-21

July 17, 2009

~Denise Grant

 

      “The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

 

     God gave His law (The Ten Commandments) to help us see our sinfulness and to show us the seriousness of our offenses and also to drive us to God for mercy and pardon as only He can give.

 

     Sin is a profound rupture between who we are and who we were created to be. The law points out our sin and places the responsibility for it squarely on our stubborn and selfish shoulders. When our conscience convicts us of sin, we must immediately turn to Jesus Christ for forgiveness and healing.

 

      As a sinner, separated from God, you see His law from below, as a ladder to be climbed in order to get to God. Perhaps you have repeatedly tired to climb it, only to fall to the ground every time you have advanced one or two rungs. Or maybe the sheer height of the ladder is so overwhelming that you have never even bothered to start up.

 

     In either case, what relief you should feel to see Jesus offering with open arms to lift you above the ladder to the law, to take you directly to God!  Once Jesus lifts you into God’s presence, you are free to obey – out of love, not necessity; through God’s power, not your own.

 

     Your salvation assures you, that if you stumble – you will not fall back to the ground – instead, you will be caught and held in Jesus’ loving and forgiving arms.

 

Father God,

 

      We have all reaped the results of Adam’s sin and equally inherited his guilt, the tendency to sin, and God’s punishment. But because of Jesus’ death, we have been traded a deserving judgment for forgiveness. If we come to You by faith, You have promised us eternal life. Thank You for this amazing gift. I love You Lord. Amen.

Denise Grant - Just "clay" in the Master Potter's hands.

 

The man who walks with God always gets to his destination.

If you have a  pulse you have a purpose.