Appreciation of God’s Gift

Romans 5:18-6:2

We have already seen that the Law was given as a result of man’s sin. It served to make people aware of their sin and guilt, but provided no resolution. Romans 3:19-20 stated this quite clearly. “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”

As people understand what constitutes sin, and the implications, their sense of guilt is magnified. Things that were considered acceptable are seen for what they really are. The law makes it possible to understand the impact of Adam’s sin and our own subsequent actions.

“Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:18-21)

As we understand that Christ has paid in full for not only our past sins, but for all the sins of the whole world, we begin to understand how great his grace is. The law has not been circumvented, but fulfilled in that all penalties have been paid in full. This does not imply that we should go out and do wrong just because we can. To do so would mock the very sacrifice that has freed us. It is very much like the person who has been arrested for a crime, who his family bails out of jail. He then deliberately and commits the same crime again because he does not appreciate what his parents have done. He does not deserve further consideration, but a more severe sentence because of his attitude.

Hebrews 10:28-29 asks what a person who mocks Christ’s sacrifice deserves. “He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?” He is implying that the very life of God’s only natural born son is meaningless to him.

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?“ (Romans 6:1-2)

A family doesn’t bail out their son so he can do the crime again. They do it so he can live a normal productive life. We were not saved so we could get by with doing wrong. Ephesians 2:10 tells us, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Deliberate sin is an intentional rejection of God’s purpose.