For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. If, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. Rom. 5:15-17
Most holy and gracious Father, today my heart is filled with praise for the hyper-abundance of grace which you’ve given us in Jesus. Through the failure of the first Adam, we were born spiritually dead—willing subjects, co-conspirators, members in good standing in the reign of sin and death. But now, through the work of Jesus—the second Adam, we’ve been made new and alive. We’re objects of your affection and subjects in Jesus’ kingdom; your beloved children and glad-to-be servants; fully known by you and thoroughly enjoyed by you. Hallelujah, for such a standing in grace!
As dead as we were in our sins and trespasses, we are much, much more alive in Jesus’ forgiveness and righteousness. As distant and disconnected as we were from you because of Adam’s sin and our own sin, we are much, much more at peace and intimate with you through Jesus’ completed work. As narcissistic and navel-gazing as we were through our connection to the first Adam, we are becoming much, much more other-centered and caring through our union with Jesus.
Most generous and loving Father, you are most definitely for us. You didn’t spare your own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will you not also, along with Jesus, graciously give us all things? You’ve justified us, and there is now no condemnation; you’re sanctifying us, and by the same grace you saved us; you’ll glorify us, and we will be perfected and perfectly love you forever. Nothing will ever separate us from your love (Rom. 8:31-35)!
Indeed, as grave and great as our condition was through sin and death, the “how much more” of the gospel has trumped it a million times over! So very Amen we pray, with love and awe, in Jesus’ peerless name.
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