Romans 5:20-21 The discipline of grace I

Romans 5:20-21

The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Background

The Law shows us the way of prosperity, whereas grace empowers us towards it. The discipline of man and the grace of God works in tandem in establishing God’s kingdom on earth. Today’s devotion teaches us the importance of allowing God full prerogative in what He wants for our future.

Observation

The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.

The law is a system of rules that stipulates what is appropriate behaviour and what is not. The purpose of the law is to protect the individual as well as the community from acts that lead to harm. Therefore, the law is responsible for creating order and peace within the society. Now, the law works in making acts of sin indictable and punishable. Hence, sins previously considered as inconsequential, is immediately indictable in the light of the law.

When the Law was given to Moses, what was previously considered as permissible in the Jewish community was suddenly forbidden attracting swift and severe punishments: The Law came in so that the transgression would increase. Even as a deluge of curses and punishments was released upon the sinner, grace abounded all the more exonerating the sinner from punishment… and much more.

So that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Law carries the power to indict the sinner subjecting Him to the punishment of death. In this way, sin ruled (reigned) over man subjecting him to the clutches of death: as sin reigned in death. However, grace over ruled (reigned) the just requirement of death due to sin and much more. Grace not only functions in exonerating the sinner from the punishment of death, it has a follow on action of raising the exonerated sinner to the status of sons and kings (righteousness). The effect of grace goes beyond exoneration, it is not just a reversal of death, it is much more; it imputes righteousness in the believer causing him to be adopted as a son of God and to reign over God’s creation. The word righteousness carries a kingly connotation. Grace causes the believer to obtain eternal life – a kingly existence that belongs to Jesus Christ.

Truth

Law and grace work in tandem showing us the way of prosperity and empowering us towards it.

The Law is the road map to prosperity whereas grace empowers believers towards it. Therefore, it is extremely important that believers read the Word (the Law) through which they receive the instructions of God. The Law is the window to divine wisdom and revelations. Grace removes hidden wounds, weaknesses and imbues the believer with divine virtues of Christ. Hence, it can be said that the Law functions as the foundation of grace, without which there is no progress.

Many churchgoers are eager to lap up God’s promises of good will and blessings. But they did not possess the wisdom to navigate the complex maze of life and were too wounded to rise up to the occasion. The Law or the Word of God functions as the conduit of divine wisdom and courage to overcome the mountains of life.

Therefore, the reign of grace demands human discipline and participation to acquire it. The believer must discipline himself to read the Word and to obey God’s instructions on a daily basis. The discipline of grace depicts the partnership of God and man towards enduring prosperity.

To reign with Christ is to impact the world with truth and grace beginning with our family and community.

Some circles of teachings focus the reign of grace primarily on the believer’s repossession of riches. The apostle Paul said,

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9.

However, the focus of Paul’s teachings has always been on the believer’s kingly stature (righteousness) as opposed to material possessions. He was rich (kingly), yet for your sake He became poor (a slave). Christ discharges his kingly rule in restoring God’s kingdom values to humanity and cause them to live as sons of God. Many churchgoers see themselves reigning with Christ but with none of His vision of restoring kingdom values to their family and community. The reign of Christ involves ushering in the kingdom by impacting the world according to truth and grace. It is by loving people and by teaching them to live according to the truth that God’s kingdom is established. Jesus met the standard of perfection, and God appointed Him to the highest station in the universe. In the same way, God will appoint and anoint with divine authority, foresight, and perseverance those who share Christ’s vision.

Therefore, as believers, we must refrain from being swept along by the patterns of the world. But to calibrate our focus according to the pattern of Christ’s work and motivation. In doing so, God will anoint us with grace and appoint us to reign like Christ reign.

In order to reign with Christ, I must allow God full prerogative in what He wants for my future.

The reign of grace necessitates full prerogative to be given to God on a daily basis. Believers must allow God to reign over them by wholeheartedly yielding their lives to Him. Because God knows the future, He is able to place us at the right place and at the right time to reap the opportunities at hand.

David was elevated as the greatest king in Israel. God called David as a man after His own heart and named Jesus as the Son of David. The apostle Paul was called the greatest apostle because he allowed God’s calling in his life to run its full course. Moses was revered as the greatest man in Jewish history because he was faithful in shepherding an obstinate generation. These men though imperfect in many ways, chose the reign of grace over the reign of fleshly desire. They were rewarded because they allowed God full prerogative in what He wanted for their future.

However, many churchgoers, preoccupied with their own agenda missed out on God’s divine arrangements. They allowed their own desires and the desires of others to reign over them. They could not understand nor would they agree with God’s plans on a daily basis. What began for them an occasional neglect for the Word became a full blown neglect of the Sabbath worship and tithing. Before long, it becomes almost impossible for them to distinguish God’s voice from the hum of daily cares and anxieties.

Application

Is your focus on hearing God’s voice and obeying His instructions? Or are you occupied with your career and the cares of life? Know that grace gravitates towards those who allow God full reign over their lives. Wages come through hard work, but inheritances of great wealth come to those who love God wholeheartedly.

Make the mission of Christ the primary goal in your life. Be faithful in reading the Word, in Sabbath worship, in tithing and doing the work of the kingdom. As we are found faithful over smaller things, greater resources will be given to us to prosper in all that we do.

Dear Lord, create in me a hunger to know you. Remove the hindrances to understanding your Word. Stir within me a fire towards the work of the kingdom. Fill me with your grace and empower me to do your will. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.