Grace in the Face of Sin
- Ken Pierce, CDR, USN

"But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?”

Rom. 5:20b - 6:2, NKJV  

In writing these words, Paul uses emphatic language (me genoito in the Greek) to categorically reject the ridiculous notion that believers should deliberately continue sinning in order to provide God an opportunity to reveal more of His grace. Paul’s injunction is of course spot-on – the notion is the absurd product of minds infected by Adam’s fall. Certainly not, indeed! On the contrary, we are commanded to be holy, just “as He who called you is holy” (1 Pet. 1:15-16). Yet the wrong-headedness of the proposition does not overturn the truth embedded in the injunction. When believers sin, God’s grace pours forth in great abundance (Rom. 5:20-21).

Self-righteous arrogance harms the believer’s willingness to contend with the regularity and profanity of personal sin. Yet in private moments of candor, when one’s own frailty is secretly and plainly acknowledged before God, the proper backdrop is in place to view most clearly the astounding magnificence of God’s gentle favor. Truly, the heights and breadth of grace abound far beyond human comprehension. It is almost terrifying to contemplate the expanse of grace purchased at such great expense by humanity’s Hero, Jesus Christ.

Astonishingly, even where the sinner in the darkest corners of the soul clutches repetitive failures dear, Jesus Christ’s magnificent work at Calvary continues to justify, making fully kosher God’s tender mercies and forbearance. Paul uses a Greek verb translated “may abound” in Rom. 6:1, pleonadzo -- literally to super-abound in a thoroughly searching and filling way, ever expanding, increasing continually. The word picture is gushing favor, an overwhelming kindness that flows from a perfectly holy and just God whose righteous wrath has been once and for all totally satisfied at Calvary. Here is astounding truth: even at the filthiest, most disgusting point in a believer’s convulsion of temporary rebellion, in the darkest moments in which he stabs and defies the holiness to which he is called, God looks steadily at His Son’s work at Calvary, and His justice-spawned anger is thoroughly and rightly assuaged. Think of it! God is free to publicly parade His grace in man before elect and fallen angels, His integrity fully upheld by Christ’s magnificent work. This is the startling truth of grace.

In the turbulent wake of personal rebellion, as the believer recovers spiritual sanity, waves of dismay, remorse and great embarrassment may crash over the bow and spill cold dampness in the innermost chambers of one’s being. Even there, God’s grace prevails. The Adversary may crouch close astride, quick to encourage redundant guilt. Even there, God’s grace abounds.

As Paul teaches, believers have died positionally to sin and its sovereignty. In its place, redeemed people are privileged to be identified with the life of the truly Sovereign Jesus Christ. His is a brilliant life of abundant grace, in which sin and guilt are fully eclipsed. Grace reigns by virtue of the righteousness of Christ, so that all who are united to Him by faith may truly live His eternal life.

            Thank you, Savior-King.