Of late I’ve been thinking about the shocking implications of Romans 5:20 which makes the astonishing assertion that where sin abounds, grace abounds even more.
-or- But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound (KJV)
-or- But where sin increased, grace increased all the more (NIV)
The idea seems pretty straightforward doesn’t it? Grace trumps sin. End of story. Now the “classic” definition of grace says something along the lines of “unmerited favor” – the idea being that God gives us what we don’t “deserve”. Thus somehow our being sin, or being in sin, renders us undeserving; a condition we ourselves then are unable to remedy thus necessitating this greater rescue force of grace. Or something along those lines.
But the bulk of Christianity, it seems to me, veers away from this in at least a couple of ways and, in so veering away neuters the true meaning and grandeur of this text – which can easily (and perhaps should be!) read as a promise!
– First, there is the subtle suggestion that there actually is a sin which cannot be trumped by grace, thus denying the very words of the text. Here we encounter the idea that we can “choose” against God. Thus by an “act” of our own will, we can nullify or counter grace. Explicitly what the text denies.
– Second, there arises the notion that by proper behavior, one can move from a state of undeserving to one of somehow being less undeserving. And of course some go further in this legalistic trend. So again, by an act of our own “will” to behave, be good, whatever, we can transport ourselves over into the “savable” category. This conveniently forgets, at least temporarily, another central tenant of scripture; that ALL have been and are sinners.
(Don’t we also hear – loudly! – Paul’s insistent protest against this notion in Romans 9:16?? “It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.”)
Thus, it seems to me that the idea of one being forever lost (ie the denial of UR) leads one to MISread the obvious meaning of this text. And this misreading holds to the subtle idea that grace really can somehow be “merited” if we just try hard enough. That we might, by our own actions, increase the likelihood that God extend His Grace towards us… Again, not at all what the text claims.
Why not then consider a definition of Grace that, it seems to me at least, is closer to the reality of the bible and salvation and God’s nature etc etc.
[size=150]GRACE = that force or quality of God which counters and destroys sin.
[/size]SIN can likewise be defined as that force which pulls one away from God.
It is my growing conviction that the entire argument of the non UR believing Christian rests on the incredibly slender and fragile thread that human will can successfully and permanently resist the will of God. Via what is held to be his “choice”. But a point of this post is that we can recognize and affirm that there really is such a thing as a choice against God; it’s just that this choice fits in the category of that force which pulls one away from God. And thus is always countered by the stronger force of Grace!
This must mean then that every single thing that God allows or does is part of that stronger force which simply will not, now or ever, be defeated! Of course it would be the height of foolishness (and cravenness and stupidity etc etc) to increase ones resistance to God (sin; in all it’s manifestations) for it guarantees that the forces of Grace will increase to counter that resistance. And this makes it clear why some experience Grace as hardship; the harder one pulls against God, the harder He pulls back.
The implications of this are staggering. For one, I think this definition of Grace finds a proper tone for a credible theodicy; deepening evil in the world, and in men, simply reflects doomed attempts to increase in forces that pull us from God and demands, no guarantees, a greater counterforce. That counterforce is Grace. Perhaps initially that’s counterintuitive; one might think at first that as Grace abounds things will get better. But as sin and evil abound more, we can rest assured it’s counterforce, Grace, is even now ramping up more. Didn’t Jesus talk about this dynamic in the last days and remind us that this hardship and struggle was to be a sign of hope; for redemption was nigh! Thus the Christian ramps UP his praise even when the night gets darker! The worse it gets, the closer we are to God’s ultimate Victory!
Pretty stunning really.
In closing, I came across this translation of Romans 5:20 and it’s exactly what I’m trying to share here! It’s Petersons THE MESSAGE
…But sin didn’t, and doesn’t, have a chance in competition with the aggressive forgiveness we call grace. When it’s sin versus grace, grace wins hands down. All sin can do is threaten us with death, and that’s the end of it. Grace, because God is putting everything together again through the Messiah, invites us into life—a life that goes on and on and on, world without end. (The MESSAGE)
Blessings,
TotalVictory
Bobx3
PS – I hope not to embarrass my wonderful friend buddyb4 but his wonderful testimony from Nov 1 is a very poignant fulfillment of how stunning it can be when one takes hold of the reality of Grace and it’s ultimate Victory. Even in the face of despair and severe pain and mourning impending death he radiates a confidence and trust in God’s Grace that is marvelous. Very powerful witness to me…
Please read it here:
