Romans 5:20-21 The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But 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.

This passage is problematic for a lot of people, because of the statement that the Law was added so that infractions would increase. Americans in particular, with their sometimes extreme focus on personal liberty, tend to feel that is quite unfair! However, that really is to help us understand how much we need the grace of God. Any time we think we can get it right on our own, we tend to ignore God, yet we were created for fellowship with Him. The focus of this passage isn’t the Law, but the grace of God. I like how the Japanese says, “Grace reigns through the gift of righteousness.” God gave us the Law so that we would understand that we aren’t righteous on our own, and then He gave us the gift of righteousness through Christ Jesus our Lord. If we aren’t walking in righteousness, then we aren’t really walking in grace, but if we aren’t walking in the awareness of God’s grace, then we aren’t really walking in righteousness. Grace is a very deep subject, and we spend our lives learning about it!

There have been times when I thought I really understood grace, but then the Lord allowed me to “turn another corner,” so to speak, and discover more of it. Now I know better than to think I know everything about grace, but what I do know is pretty glorious! When it has taken me this long to learn even as much as I do know about grace, it’s only right that I should be patient with those to whom I minister who are struggling with the concept. I think one of the big­gest barriers to grace is pride, because really accepting grace totally eliminates pride, and we don’t like that. I’ve certainly had my share or more of pride! Pride is the fundamental sin, because it says, I don’t need God. As such, it is in direct opposition to grace. I believe more people go to hell because of pride than for any other reason. They won’t admit they’ve done it wrong and turn to God in repentance, and as a result they receive the full wages of their sin. Refusing to admit we are wrong is perhaps the most dangerous attitude of all.

Father, You know better than I do how many times I have stubbornly insisted I was right, when I wasn’t. Thank You for Your grace! Thank You for helping me understand that being “right” isn’t nearly as important as love. Thank You also for helping me understand that true love isn’t “soft and squishy,” but works for the best for the one loved, even when it’s hard. I ask You to keep growing me as an instrument of Your grace and love to those around me, regardless of whether they recognize it for what it is or not, so that as many as possible may be brought to Your salvation, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!