ENDLESS GRACE


I cannot count the number of times I have talked to someone about their relationship with God and they say words to this effect: “I'm not a bad person—I mean, I've never killed anybody.” Killing tops the list of bad things that people can do. Murder carries the greatest punishment in this country. Our culture believes that murder is the worst sin that a person can commit.

With this in mind, it is surprising to consider the fact that the three most significant men in scripture—other than Jesus—were guilty of murder. Moses killed an Egyptian, David killed Uriah, and Paul killed a number of Christians. If you steal money, of course it's wrong, but it can be paid back. If you were to fight someone and break their arm, that would be wrong, but the injury would heal. Murder is permanent. It is something you have to live with every day. It cannot be undone. But it can be forgiven.  God's grace is powerful enough to forgive any sin.

The Bible affirms that we have all the forgiveness available to us that we will ever need.  “ If, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:17).

God has given you an abundant provision—a supply of endless grace. There is as much forgiveness as you need. There is no amount of sin that can overpower God's grace. Paul says in Romans chapter 8 that he is convinced that nothing can separate a Christ-follower from God’s presence.

If that’s not enough, verse 17 also says that you receive "the gift of righteousness," which means you have, by His mercy, been put on His good side. That's what righteousness is—the state of being right with someone. You received this rightness from Jesus Christ as a gift—it is not something you can ever earn or deserve. (Romans 3:22)

It is abundantly clear when you read the letters of Paul that his impression of the Christian life is one of victory, and joy, and fulfillment. He used phrase in verse 17 “reign in life.” This means you have the power to live victoriously in this life. It is not God's plan that you should be defeated by sin, or that you should remain a victim of its power. Romans 6:14 proclaims, “Sin shall not be your master.” You cannot achieve all that God intends for you to achieve on a limited supply of resources, so He freely and generously gives you all the strength you could ever possibly need. There is no limit to God's grace and mercy for your life. Forgiveness, righteousness, and strength are available to you in an endless supply.

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