GRACE REIGNS

ROMANS 5.15-21

 

In one brief moment of agony,

beyond human endurance and imagination,

Jesus extinguished sin and death from His kingdom

for ever and ever.

 

 

With malicious, vengeful intent, the cruelty of the human heart tortured Jesus to the Roman crucifixion.

Jesus suffered the real torture of that process as did all who have ever been tortured to death.

But it was at the moment He cried out, "It is finished," that He bore our sins in His body and soul.

 

In that  one brief moment, Jesus extinguished our sin and destroyed death.

 

In that one brief moment, Jesus ended the laws of sin and death for any and all who realize they have sinned against the Almighty God of the Universe, the Sovereign Ruler of all Heaven and Earth.

 

In the God-given realization of sin and death, men come to repentance and confession, seeking forgiveness and salvation of their body, soul, and spirit from the power and consequences of sin and death.

 

Salvation is an instantaneous, two-step experience with God.

 

 

It is, first of all, the removal of our sin, in its entirety for all eternity to come.

Accountability for all we have done, said, thought, and desired is removed, erased from our "records."

 

Secondly, at the same instant, we are given a new lease on life.

This new lease is an eternal life with God and lived out in  His kingdom forever.

This life receives and experiences God's goodness and mercy every day and looks forward to the house of the Lord for forever and ever.

This new life is perfect and holy in all ways.

Heart, soul, mind, and strength, every thought and motive of this new life is pleasing to God. 

The love of God's heart is joyfully poured out into our heart and life.

We are empowered to walk with and be filled by the Holy Spirit.

Streams of living water and the bread of life sustain and fill us day and night, all the days of our life.

 

In response, we love God purely, serve Him perfectly, and love others as God loves us.

 

God's grace and the gift that came

by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to many…

One righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people…

Many will be made righteous…

Where sin increased, grace increased all the more,

so that just as sin reigned in death,

so also grace might reign through righteousness

to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 5.15-21

 

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above,

where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Colossians 3.1