For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive an abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!-Romans 5:17 (Berean Study Bible)
I gave up so many times when I first came back to Jesus. I knew that He was drawing me to himself, but when I went to church I never felt like I could behave well enough. I still had stuff (plural) in my life that I was struggling with. I was having a very hard time in my flesh letting go of some of the things, even though I would pray, Lord please take these desires away. I had little understanding of the grace or the free gift of righteousness. It was actually what drew me to Jesus, but I felt like once I was in, I couldn't keep it together, because I thought it was all up to me.
Did you know that it is an abundance of grace that sets people free in every situation? I see people talk about cheap grace, or greasy grace, but it wasn't cheap because Jesus paid for it already. For you.
Maybe we aren't seeing results in so many areas, areas where we are questioning, because we aren't receiving or sharing the abundant grace of Jesus. Because people keep saying things like cheap grace and greasy grace, so people back away.
That would be a good question to ask ourselves. The Bible, in Romans 5:17 says it is abundance of grace that causes people to reign.
You don't get to choose or modify what the Scripture says because you want somebody to act different.
When we read the Gospels, we can see what that would look like with Jesus. People living the worst lifestyles freely and fearlessly came to Him.
Lord, help us to preach this more. Less condemnation. More grace. And help us to receive more grace as well.
I once had a pediatrician tell me that a good doctor will make you feel like a good parent. I am now convinced that a good minister will make you feel like the righteousness of God in Christ. You are already forgiven. You still have to believe it and receive it. A good minister will tell you the truth. What is the truth? The truth is not some way to justify hardness towards people. The truth is Jesus.
It's important what you believe about yourself, because you will live out whatever you believe. If you believe you are a sinner, you will act that out, or give up. But if you believe God has made you righteous, that will come to life in you as well.
"For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation."-2 Corinthians 5:19
"I am the way, the truth, and the life."-John 14:6
"And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."-1 Corinthians 6:11
"For 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
"You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example that you should do as I have done to you."-John 13:13-15
For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive an abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!-Romans 5:17 (Berean Study Bible)
Definition of abundance: superfluity, comprehensively all-around, what exceeds normal expectations, superfluously.
The people during Jesus' earthly ministry received a ridiculous, overflowing, abundant amount of grace. Think about the woman of Samaria, or about the woman with the issue of blood, or the sinful woman who anointed Jesus feet and wiped them with her tears. Think about Peter who denied Jesus moments before He would die for him, and all of mankind.
That is the same grace that we receive as Believers, a ridiculous, superfluous, overflowing amount!! And it is free! A gift.
And that overflowing, superfluous, abounding, abundant grace combined with the free gift of righteousness (right standing with God) is what causes us to reign in this life
