Romans 5 ended with the statement “Where sin abounds grace abounds much more!” Paul responds to that statement saying, “Great! If sin leads to grace, then why not keep on sinning?” In Romans 6 we look at the believer’s relationship to sin, finding out that we are:
1. Dead to Sin, Alive to God
2. Set Free from Sin, Now Slaves of God
Paul liked to give his understudies neat little proverb-like gems of wisdom to take to heart as they carried out their own ministries. He recognized the value of placing an important principle in an easily opened package – of saying something that needed to be remembered in a way that his guys would remember it. He called them “faithful sayings”.
Here is the first:
“This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.” – 1 Timothy 1:15 (NKJV)
Anyone desiring to serve the Lord can benefit from a deep awareness of their sin. It enhances our humility and keeps us conscious of the fact that we fully depend upon Christ. No matter how long or how well we serve Him – and Paul served better and longer than most – we should never get past the fact that we do so by His grace.
This is not a morbid focus on our own shortcomings and should never lead to that. This is good sense and extremely useful in ministry. As we, Christ’s servants, deal consistently with sin-filled people in sin-filled surroundings, it helps to keep in mind that we are sinners saved by grace.
Paul considered himself the “chief of sinners”. During his ministry he was accused of many things, but offhand I can’t think of a case he was accused of arrogant or hypocritical self-righteousness. Maybe there’s a connection?
The glory of God is revealed to us in Jesus. How can we describe it? John was one of those who beheld it, and he put it like this:
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14 (NKJV)
He is full of grace and truth. This is how Charles Spurgeon summed it up: “Jesus is to me all grace and no wrath, all truth and no falsehood: and of truth and grace he is full, infinitely full.” There is so much grace and truth within Him, it’s as if grace and truth were never seen on earth before Jesus showed up.
For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” – John 1:17 (NKJV)
The blessing is multiplied when we realize that He has shared this fullness with us, His followers.
And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.” – John 1:16 (NKJV)
This is no dry, distant fact. It’s something tangible and to be experienced. Having received from Him, it is now our great privilege and pleasure to enjoy all that we have in the way of fellowship with God and one another.
That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.” – 1 John 1:3-4 (NKJV)
I need a lot of God’s grace, His unmerited favor, those unearned blessings that He gives and keeps on giving. There are times I think I’ve nearly drained the limit of His supply. Those are the times He gently reminds me of the cross.
The cross of Jesus Christ illustrates just how far God will go on our behalf. Once we’ve accepted it, the floodgates of grace are now open. We can’t touch the ceiling; if it’s good He will give it. We can’t find the edge. Once we’re inside, having entered through Jesus Christ the Door, the boundaries of His love are unsearchable. And if there is a need He is readly, willing and able to meet it.
Let’s give Him the honor and show Him the respect of taking Him at His word.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”
– Romans 8:31-32 (NKJV)
Central Reflections 