1224. In Adam Sin Abounds–In Christ Grace Much More Abounds

In Adam Sin Abounds–In Christ Grace Much More Abounds

"Moreover the Law entered, that the offence might abound: but where sin abounded, grace did much more abound" (Rom_5:20).

1. "Where sin abounded." The word "abounded" has a scope of meaning that we may well consider.

(1) Sin abounds because of its universality. Sin has gone throughout the whole world. There is not a man, a woman, a child that has been left untouched by the ravages of sin.

There is not a tree, a flower, a grain but what has felt its blighting touch.

There is not a beast, a bird, a fish but has felt its power.

Creatures and creation, sinners and saints are all groaning together under its curse.

There is not a country, not a nation, not a city, not a hamlet, not a home, not an individual where sin does not cast its shadow.

Sin abounds like a volcano pouring out its destroying lava all around.

It sweeps across the land like as the tornado sweeps, it spreads like as the prairie fire spreads.

Under its sway, the great and mighty of the earth, the high and the lofty among men, have fallen.

2. "Grace did much more abound."

(1) Grace and grace alone can break the power of sin. Grace abounds!

Sin is satan's weapon of destruction; grace is God's weapon of construction.

Sin tears down, grace builds up; sin breaks; grace builds.

Grace enters the prison doors, and sets the prisoner free.

Grace enters the home and heals the broken heart; it sets at liberty them that are bruised.

Grace recovers sight to the blind; it gives the oil of gladness for the spirit of heaviness; it comforts all who mourn.

(2) Grace superabounds. Sin is strong but grace is stronger. Before sin's sway the mighty of the earth have fallen; but sin falls before the sway of grace.

Sin has vaunted itself and been puffed up. It has walked up and down the earth with blatant effrontery; but when grace with its step of gentleness, and its eye of love appears, sin is overcome.

Sin keeps its house in peace until grace comes in; then sin is conquered, grace abounds, and grace divides the spoils.

Grace is personified in Christ. Jesus Christ on the Cross is grace superabounding. Our God is a God of all grace.

(3) Grace superabounds where sin had abounded. The same heart, the place where sin did its worst, is filled with the fruitage of grace.

By and by when Christ returns and reigns the same world, where sin abounded will under the work of superabounding grace, laugh out in blest deliverance.

Even nature itself, all nature, the whole creation, once the scene of sin's bondage, will, under the super-power of grace, enter into the glorious liberty of the sons of God.

(4) Grace superabounds because grace brings us to a higher place than that from which sin tore us down.

Grace not only undoes the work of sin, but it outdoes its work. Grace not only rebuilds the ruined wreck, but it greatly increases the glory of the building.

Grace superabounds. It not only restores to man his lost earthly Eden, but it adds an Eden that is Heavenly.

Grace lifts us up far beyond the plane from which we fell; grace lifts us up and up and up, until we are "forever with the Lord."

Before we can understand the full significance of superabounding grace, we must await the day when God, in the ages to come, reveals the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

For the present we will simply say: "Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound."

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR