Unlimited Superabounding
Grace of God
Can we lose our salvation by sinning? Does God withhold His
grace because of sin? Do we forfeit grace when we sin? Is it reduced because of our
inability to keep from sinning?
Those are serious questions if we truly believe that God saves us by
grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
“The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but
where sin increased, grace abounded all the more” (Romans 5:20). “Where sin thus
multiplied, grace immediately exceeded it” (NEB). “Though sin is shown to be
wide and deep, thank God His grace is wider and deeper still” (Phillips). The flood
of grace surpassed the flood of sin. No matter how great human sin becomes, God’s
grace overflows beyond it and abundantly exceeds it.
The apostle Paul pictures sin overflowing and
reaching a high water mark as it sweeps away everything before it, but
God in grace completely floods our lives with mercy and forgiveness
because of the atoning sacrifice of Christ. Where the waters of sin
multiplied, grace overflowed. Grace is never withheld because of sin. It
overcomes the effects of sin and reigns victoriously.
Just when we think we are hopelessly overwhelmed by
sin, the grace of God proves itself to be far greater.
The superabounding grace of God is never withheld
or reduced because of sin. Sin has never been demonstrated to be
stronger than God's grace. It is just the opposite. Light always
penetrates and overcomes darkness. The believer has an unlimited supply
of grace always available to him.
Where sin increases, grace superabounds. It
overcomes the boundaries of sin. God does not withhold His grace because
of sin; it is always given in spite of our sin.
The grace of God does not become depleted because we sin. God has
provided 100% of the righteousness that is needed to save us for eternity
ant that righteousness never runs out. God’s
superabundant supply of grace never diminishes. We do not forfeit grace when we sin. It
takes a hundred percent of grace for God to save us! That saving supply of grace never
becomes depleted.
Sin never keeps grace from saving us, or even from keeping us saved.
Moreover, the grace of God also works at giving us victory over sin
in our daily life. Grace works at delivering us from the power of sin. Just “as sin reigned in death,
even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our
Lord” (Romans 5:21).
Our salvation is certain because the saving work of God is a lasting
accomplishment. Grace reigns like a king through righteousness to eternal life. Salvation
is the work of God and nothing “will be able to separate us from the love of God that
is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:39). Yes, if is depended upon us, we would never
be saved. But it does not. It depends upon God’s saving grace alone.
The superabounding grace of God is seen as living
demonstrations of His handiwork in the changed lives of believers in
Jesus Christ. The world looks on and asks, “What makes you different?”
That which supremely exalts the Lord God is the
salvation of sinners by grace alone. Everything in heaven and on the
earth is contributing to that end.
The apostle Paul stresses that legalism adds
nothing to our righteousness before God. You will not be more spiritual
if you follow certain men's rules and expectations. Our own
righteousness amounts to zero in God's eyes. It is bankrupt. We are in
debt to the righteousness of God--that righteousness that God alone
provides through Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 5:21).
If you choose to live by the Law, you have to obey all of the Law. I
have never met a person who did that. The Law only reveals sin in our lives. It cannot
save; it cannot sanctify. Only God in His unlimited superabounding all sufficient grace
can do that. To live by grace means we depend upon the super abundant
supply of God's grace for daily living.
Selah!
Message by Wil Pounds (c) 2006
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