Romans 5:17

Dan Maudhub considers the importance of grace

Dan & Claire Maudhub

It's a new year and apart from the usual resolutions of doing more exercise, lose a bit of weight, read your Bible more etc., what does 2015 hold for us? It's tempting to ask God for the roadmap to success and for some amazing revelations for a great new year. At times He does speak directionally to us. For the most part though, I have found God guides and leads through the circumstances we face and through the principles we live by. As we journey with Him, He guides and speaks to us along the way. The word of God holds some incredible promises for us along this journey.

Romans 5:17 is one such promise:
'For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ'.

Wow, what a promise for 2015 and every year! Let's unpack this a little more.

The sin of Adam meant that we are all subject to being born in a state of sin. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ has wiped out the handwriting of requirements against us and reconciled us back to Father God. We are no longer in that state of sin and our lives are hidden with Christ in God.

We are given a gift of righteousness, which is right standing before God. That means through the One, Jesus Christ we can stand right before God, not because of any works or anything we deserve, but because of the redeeming work of the cross. What a gift! For Christmas, my mum bought our two boys, Asher and Joel, an electric motorbike each, which was a cool gift for young boys! But what gift can compare to the gift of being able to be in right standing before God? The gift of a peaceful heart.

This scripture also speaks about receiving the abundance of grace. When we become born again, we receive the grace of God at the cross, and there, we receive that gift of righteousness. It's something we merely have to receive. Some people don't like to receive presents; they feel embarrassed or indebted or unworthy and I've noticed over the years, some people struggle to receive the abundance of grace through Jesus Christ. It takes humility to accept that gift.

Grace can be described as God's enabling power to sustain and uphold us. It's His unmerited favour towards us. Romans 5:17 says we receive an abundance of this. Not enough to just about get through the day, not enough to make us feel better, but an abundance of grace: more than enough.

The promise goes on to say that by receiving this grace and humbly accepting it in faith, we can reign in life. Do you sometimes feel defeated? Just running to keep up with life as it unfolds in front of you, utterly out of your control? Do you feel like sometimes you are just a victim of circumstances or incapable of making life work? Well the word says we can be on top of life. We can make it work, live in peace and victory and get the best out of all that life has for us.

At the beginning of 2015, I want to encourage you to know you can reign in life this year. You stand right before God because of the cross and you have received abundant grace. Believe it, receive it and ask God what He wants to show you about reigning in the life He has given you.