Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.
Romans 5:20
In the Book of Romans, the apostle Paul said, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?” (Rom. 6:1). Obviously, Paul was preaching the grace of God so radically that he was misunderstood and accused of telling people to sin more so that grace may abound. Of course, that was not the case.
Paul never said, “Let us sin more so that grace may abound” (and by the way, neither have I). Sin is evil, and it leads to destructive consequences. But have you noticed in today’s scripture what it is that actually causes sin to increase?
Read today’s scripture again. Paul states very clearly that the law entered so that sin might abound. What this means is that the more you preach the law, the more sin will abound. After all, the strength of sin is the law (1 Cor. 15:56). Therefore, when you see sin and you preach more of the law, you are adding wood to fire!
In saying that “where sin abounded, grace abounded much more,” Paul meant this: sin does not stop God’s grace from flowing, but God’s grace will stop sin. Ask yourself which is greater, your sins or God’s grace? The answer is obvious. God’s grace is always greater!
In fact, when you read “where sin abounded, grace abounded much more” in the original Greek, it actually says that where sin abounded, grace superabounded. Greek scholar Kenneth Wuest captures this well in his translation of the verse: “where sin increased, grace superabounded, and then some on top of that.” How cool is that!
What Paul is saying is that where there is sin, where there is “a failing to hit the mark” (definition of “sin” by Thayer’s Greek Lexicon), that’s exactly where you will find God’s grace—His unmerited favor for your empowerment and victory—in superabounding measure. Isn’t that amazing?
Contrary to traditional thinking, God’s grace does not abandon you when you miss the mark. What a comfort and source of strength it is to know that His grace doesn’t leave us, but is right in the midst of our painful weaknesses, failings, and less-than-perfect situations to empower us to reign over them all!
My friend, maybe you have been struggling with a certain weakness or failing in some area of your life. It could be anger, unforgiveness, or an addiction that you can’t seem to kick. I encourage you to increase your exposure to God’s grace. Keep hearing preaching on the beauty of the person of Jesus and His finished work. Keep meditating on His love and what He has accomplished for you on the cross because grace is the only power that can stop sin in its tracks in your life.
When you fail, instead of feeling guilty and condemned, receive the superabounding grace of God that tells you that you are still righteous in Christ. It is His superabounding grace that will rescue you from that sin. Those who wallow in guilt and condemnation are the ones who have no ability to overcome their sins. Since they believe that God’s grace has departed, what hope can they have? Victory over sin comes only when people encounter the superabundance of God’s grace. It is His grace that has made sinners righteous!
Don’t miss out on this powerful revelation. This is the gospel of Jesus! Because all your sins have been punished in the body of your substitute, Jesus Christ, God’s righteousness is on your side, demanding your justification and forgiveness. That’s why, even when you fail, God’s grace will superabound and swallow up your failure that has been paid for at Calvary. Hallelujah!
This devotional is taken from the book Reign in Life—90 Powerful Inspirations for Extraordinary Breakthroughs.