The Grand Consummation [of Romans, chapter 5] is twofold:
- Though the incoming of the Law caused the offence to abound, nevertheless Grace did much more abound, and
- In the death of Christ God found a righteous ground upon which Grace could reign. So we have Grace abounding and Grace reigning in righteousness and life.
Let us look, then … at the five affirmations introduced by the words “Much more.” They help us to review the chapter.
1. If justified, [we are] much more saved from wrath. “Therefore, since we have now been justified [declared free of the guilt of sin] by His blood, [how much more certain is it that] we will be saved from the wrath of God through Him” (Romans 5:9).
Here is the ground of assurance. If He has at such cost justified much more we shall be saved. Does a merchantman purchase a goodly pearl at the cost of all he has, to cast it away?
2. If reconciled when enemies by the Death of Christ, much more we shall be saved by His life. “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, it is much more certain, having been reconciled, that we will be saved [from the consequences of sin] by His life [that is, we will be saved because Christ lives today]” (Romans 5:10).
The Savior who died to reconcile, lives to save. It is well to be clear on this–Christ died to reconcile, He lives to save. Salvation is from the Living Risen Lord–our Great High Priest, who, because He hath an unchangeable priesthood and ever lives to make intercession for us, is able to save to the uttermost.[1]
3. If sin produced such dire results, much more will Grace produce abundant life. “But the free gift [of God] is not like the trespass [because the gift of grace overwhelms the fall of man]. For if many died by one man’s trespass [Adam’s sin], much more [abundantly] did God’s grace and the gift [that comes] by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, overflow to [benefit] the many” (Romans 5:15).
Christ declared, “The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]” (John 10:10).
It was Grace that brought salvation. It is the same Grace that is sufficient for all our need. It establishes the heart. It reigns in life.
4. If death reigns by sin, much more the justified will reign in life by Christ. “So then as through one trespass [Adam’s sin] there resulted condemnation for all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men” (Romans 5:18).
This is the experience of which these chapters testify–Reigning in Life–through the redeeming all-sufficient risen Lord.
5. So summing up all, we rejoice that where Sin abounded Grace did much more abound. “But the Law came to increase and expand [the awareness of] the trespass [by defining and unmasking sin]. But where sin increased, [God’s remarkable, gracious gift of] grace [His unmerited favor] has surpassed it and increased all the more” (Romans 5:20).
Let, then, this be our song of triumph. There is Much More! Much More for us in Christ!
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Our Father, how can we thank you enough for how You have saved us from hell and so much more. We yield to You and trust Your gracious enablement so that we can reign in Life today through Jesus Christ our Lord.
[1] The saving life of Christ also relates to His indwelling presence, whereby He lives through the abiding believer (Col. 1:27; Gal. 2:20)
From chapter 1 of I Live; Yet Not I, by George Goodman. (He was a Brethren pastor and author in England in the early 1900’s.)
Footnote, Amplified Bible quotes, and concluding prayer added.
Biblical quotations are added; they are from The Amplified Bible, (an expanded translation), copyrighted by The Lockman Foundation.
Honorable Mention
Dr. Bill and Tony Morgan provide Exchanged Life Counseling through a three day retreat model at Faith Family Ministries.