ROMANS 5:18-21 – “Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
THEME OF THE DAY: GRACE THAT IS GREATER THAN ALL OUR SIN. Does today’s theme remind us of the great hymn of the faith, Grace Greater Than Our Sin penned by Julia H. Johnston in 1910? Here it is in its entirety. Take time and marvel over such amazing truths of God’s love and grace.
“Marvelous grace of our loving Lord
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt
Yonder on Calvary’s mount out poured
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled
Grace, grace, God’s grace
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within
Grace, grace, God’s grace
Grace that is greater than all our sin
Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace
Freely bestowed on all who believe
You that are longing to see His face
Will you this moment His grace receive?
Grace, grace, God’s grace
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within
Grace, grace, God’s grace
Grace that is greater than all our sin
Grace, grace, God’s grace
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within
Grace, grace, God’s grace
Grace that is greater than all our sin.”
God’s free gift of grace comes wrapped in His undeserved and unchanging love. In fact, grace and love are a marriage never to be divorced; a family never to be separated; friends that last forever; and will be our song in heaven for all eternity. But this truth is not just for heaven. It has practical application each day of our Christian journey. How? Silencing the accuser . . . the only way to defeat the devil when he tempts us to make our sin greater than God’s grace and love is the truth of this hymn and today’s scripture . . .”Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more” (Romans 5:20b).
Learn to believe God’s truth more than Satan’s lies. Sin is great, but grace and love are greater. The 19th century English pastor, John Henry Jowett wrote . . .“There is no human wreckage, lying in the ooze of the deepest sea of iniquity, that His deep love cannot reach and redeem.” Rest and rejoice in this great truth!
PRAYER: Father, may my life be one of constant praise for grace that is greater than all my sin.
REFLECTION: Don’t presume upon the grace of God. It is to be marveled over, not taken for granted.