Saturday, August 2, 2008

Superabounding Grace


But where sin increased and abounded, grace (God’s unmerited favor) has surpassed it and increased the more and superabounded. Romans 5:20b (Amplified Bible)


I have within myself the capacity to sin because I possess a sin nature. We all do! I may not give in to every urge but the ability to sink to the lowest depths of depravity is present in me as it is in you. Yet as a believer I also have God’s divine influence on my heart….His grace. While sin may increase and abound, the influence of God superabounds! The comparison is encouraging because God’s help far exceeds my weaknesses. His advantages for me far outweigh my disadvantages.

I feel led to do some comparisons this morning and the results will be astounding! Keep in mind that each time I use the word “grace” I am referring to God’s divine influence, favor, and help that is present and available in me. Proportionately speaking God’s grace exceeds every ungracious thing in me. Grace exceeds my strongholds. Grace exceeds my addictions. Grace exceeds my weaknesses. Grace exceeds my mindsets. Grace exceeds my wrong choices. Grace exceeds my failures. Grace exceeds my misperceptions. Grace exceeds my depraved words, actions, and thoughts. No matter what I place on the scale of comparisons, God’s grace outweighs, out shines, out lasts, and out powers it. In other words the potential for victory is greater than the potential for defeat.

The question now becomes, will I walk in that grace and allow it to be reflected in my life? By His grace I can! Once again I am reminded that living the Christian life is not a matter of self made virtues. It is a matter of allowing God to do His work in me. It is looking to Him to give me the desire and ability to follow Him, cooperate with Him, and obey Him. I want transformation and change. I want to continually NOT be the person I was a year ago, month ago, week ago, or even day ago!

As I go through my day and come up against any temptation, test, or sinful desire, I want to realize I have MORE grace than that! There is also more grace than grief, sorrow, loss, or pain. It is like comparing an ant hill to a mountain, a pond to an ocean, or a twig to a forest. Superabounding, super abundant, super accessible is God’s grace. As the hymn so eloquently states, “Grace, grace, God’s grace! Grace will pardon and cleanse within. Grace, Grace, God’s grace! Grace is greater than ALL my sin.” Amen! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! Grace indeed!

Father, keep me aware of Your grace in me. The excessiveness of it all astounds me! Amen.


Amazing Grace ( My Chains are Gone) - Chris Tomlin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyFxArMeRDI&feature=related

I welcome your questions and comments to any devotional thoughts. I am honored and delighted to share my journey with you and privileged to hear of yours.