So Might Grace Reign

“That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:21).

Remember LSD. It is an acronym for Lust, Sin, Death. James talks a lot about this in the first chapter of his epistle. We first have the lust or the desire to sin. We then act upon that desire, which is sin. Eventually, we pay the ultimate price and suffer the consequence for our actions through death.

Man, on his own accord, cannot escape this vicious LSD cycle.

Fortunately for mankind, God loves us. It is because of this love that God offers His grace freely. But what is grace”

B.B. Warfield, a professor of theology at Princeton in 19^th & 20^th centuries, defines grace as a, “free sovereign favor to the ill-deserving.”

Grace is administered through the direct operation of the Holy Spirit upon us. It is the influence of the Spirit upon our souls that leads us to Christ, solidifies our faith and keeps us in the way of righteousness and truth. Belief in Christ allows for the blood of Christ to be our sacrifice and atonement for sins. All of this is due to God’s grace. It is not required or obligated. We did not deserve it, aren’t owed it nor can we earn it.

Grace is freely given by God. Salvation comes through the grace of God and no other way.

Bill Hitchcock

 Justified By Faith

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1-2).

We have been rendered righteous by our faith in Jesus Christ. No longer are we at odds with God. Wrath has been transitioned into peace, the seas of inner turmoil have been calmed. Our wretched world is now our righteous world. And because of our faith, we now have complete access to the full power and mercy of God. How amazing!

Bill Hitchcock