“God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.” (Romans 5:20 NLT)
“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:4-10 NKJV)
“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—(For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of lifeFor as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. 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.” (Romans 5:12-21 NKJV)
I have been reading a book this morning that I am really identifying with. It is full of dynamic truth! One of the things that it pointed out to me is that when I stumble, when I sin, when I make mistakes, when I willfully choose wrong things, I don’t stop being a child of God. I don’t stop having a relationship with Jesus. Even when I am in the midst of paying the consequences of my actions, because there are consequences to our actions, I’m still forgiven. I am still loved even when I am unlovable. I am still who it is that God says that I am.
My identity does not come from my actions. My choices may determine what I experience, but they do not determine who I am. But as I realize who I am, more and more of my actions flow from my identity.
Maybe you blew it yesterday. Maybe you blew it two seconds ago. Well, you may have to pay a consequence, but let yourself off the hook when it comes to who you are. Because you are forgiven you are loved.
Grace is greater. Where sin abounds, grace superabounds. You will never outrun God’s grace. Take that with you today as you live out…
…Eric’s Life Lesson # 390: Grace is Greater – PERIOD!