The message of grace is essential to understanding successful Christian living. Grace, not our righteous living, is the cure for sin. The Apostle Paul explained that in Romans 5:21.
“So that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
It would seem that “righteousness” would be the counterpart to sin. But Paul points out that “grace” is God’s answer to sin. From “sin reigns” he turns to “grace reigns.” Righteousness comes only after grace. Grace is God’s answer to sin. If it were “righteousness” then we would be left at the mercy of our efforts to overcome sin.
In Romans 5:17 Paul shows us that now grace reigns [“how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!”]. Grace leads to righteousness. In fact, righteousness can’t be obtained any other way. That righteousness leads to life. Reliance on the Spirit, not a struggle to keep the law, is the way to live a righteous life. The only way those provisions come to us is through Jesus Christ.
When Billy Graham was driving through a small southern town, he was stopped by a policeman and charged with speeding. Graham admitted his guilt but was told by the officer that he would have to appear in court. The judge asked, “Guilty, or not guilty?” When Graham pleaded guilty, the judge replied, “That’ll be ten dollars—a dollar for every mile you went over the limit.”
Suddenly the judge recognized the famous minister. “You have violated the law,” he said. “The fine must be paid—but I am going to pay it for you.” He took the money for the fine out of his own wallet, attached it to the ticket, and then took Graham out and bought him a steak dinner! “That,” said Billy Graham, “is how God treats repentant sinners!”
That is also a story of grace—the kind of grace God shows to each of us.
