Grace is Bigger

Devotional Reading: Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more. Romans 5:20 ESV

The verse above is so good to be true. Funny thing is, although it is in the Bible, many do not want to accept that it is in it. Most people’s perception is that it must have been an error for it to have been included. But this is a fact and the truth. “Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.” Or, we could translate it as, “Where sin abounds, grace super abounds.”

At times, we may feel overwhelmed by our sin, and that can be a good thing. There are times when we should feel our profound brokenness over sin. But we must never stay overwhelmed by our sin because the grace of God is always bigger. However great our sin, God’s grace is greater. Always.

Perhaps there is a particular sin in your past that is especially egregious to you. Perhaps Satan keeps throwing this sin in your face: “Look what you did. That was so horrible! God will never use you again. God will always be upset at you. You’re done, finished!” But Satan is an accuser and a liar. Remind yourself of Romans 5:20: “When sin abounds, grace super abounds.” It is not noble to wallow in your guilt in some sort of penitential self-flagellation as if you could pay for your sin by your guilt. That’s unbelief in God’s love and grace. Unbelief is the fountainhead of all sin.

What is noble and pleasing to God is when we come to God in childlike trust and believe that God is a God of grace, that God’s grace is greater than our sin. The greats of the Bible, men like Moses, David, and Paul, were guilty of grievous sins, even murder. But they believed in God’s grace, and God loved that.

Where sin abounds, grace super abounds.

Prayer and Confession
Thank you Jesus for the wonderful gift called grace. I live in this reality always.

Further Reading: Ephesians 2:6-8, Romans 11:6