Romans 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
This passage of scripture teaches us the sacred truth that God's mercy is given freely and abundantly, especially in those places where iniquity thrives to an alarming extent. The Bible tells us that the grace of God which bringeth salvation has appeared to all men, meaning that every member of the human family is a candidate for receiving God's unmerited favor. There are very many religions and denominations in the world today, and there are millions of atheists and satanists who deny the existence of God, yet His grace and mercy is freely bestowed upon all, without bias or ill-will.
However, to those of us who desire to have The Lord as our Savior and King, there is an important truth which must be clearly understood, in order for us to have a meaningful relationship with Him. God's grace is manifested with the sole purpose of changing our carnal, sinful nature back into the glorious image of our Creator. God saves us as we are but he does not leave us as we are, for the Bible tells us that Christ was manifested to destroy the works of the devil, and therefore, in all who truly accept Christ as Lord, this work of destroying sin will be seen on a continual basis. Let's read:
Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
In our day a popular, counterfeit gospel has surfaced, in which those who subscribe to it do not allow The God of heaven to touch their personal lives, and as a result, many Christians live their lives without the daily renewal of God's grace, as manifested in the changing of their characters. This amounts to cheap grace, for the Bible teaches us that we should not continue in sin because of God's grace. On the contrary, a daily cleansing and renewal of His image in us should characterize our entire Christian experience, for this is the reason why the Holy Spirit is given to them that believe. Let's read:
Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which calls for a daily surrender of sin and self, so that the omnipotent power of God can be engaged in our behalf to bring about the great changes that are desperately needed. Let's read:
Galatians 2:17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. 18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
May we ever bear in mind the sacred truth that God's grace was manifested for goodness sake, so that His image might be fully restored in us. God bless!