He Gives Again and Again

For if by the one mans offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) Therefore, as through one mans offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Mans righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one mans disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Mans obedience many will be made righteous. Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5:17-21 NKJV)

Observation: The reason God is not threatened by sin is because He gives again and again. For the suffering and pain which come with sin, He gives again and again. For the heartache, He gives again and again. For the regret, He gives again and again. For the remorse, He gives again and again. For everything sin touches, the Lord gives again and again. For everyone sin betrays, He gives again and again. For everywhere sin reaches, the Lord gives again and again. Praise the Lord, where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more.  

Satan would point to sin and suffering and say, "There you have it, if the world is so bad, how can God be so good?" 

Paul points to a world of sin and suffering and says, "Listen, it is the presence of grace in the midst of this very dark planet, that declares in an even greater way the goodness of God."

In Romans 8:18 he declares: 

"The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18 NKJV)

And in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 we are told: 

"We do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:16–18 NKJV).

Sin is temporary. Glory is eternal. Sin might seem ominous, but Christ has conquered. He has overcome the grave. There is nothing to fear. As Hebrews says, 

"Since the children have flesh and blood, he too (Jesus) shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death." (Hebrews 2:14–15 NIV)

Hallelujah, His life, death, and resurrection forever declare, 

 "If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:31–32 NKJV)

Application: God's invitation today is to focus on grace. Sure there is all kind of havoc because of sin. The world is messy. Life is messy. Hurt and heartache are all around. Injustice and bigotry abound. But let us no fear, let us not fret, let us not ring our hands in regret. Instead, let us raise our hands in worship. Let us raise our hands to the One who has overcome the power of the enemy; raise them to the One who has conquered sin and death; and raise them to the One whose glory overwhelms the grave. As Christ Tomlin sings, 

Jesus has overcome,
and the grave is overwhelmed.
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead.

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles wings
Before my God, fall on my knees, and rise

Prayer: Lord Jesus I give You praise for grace that overcomes. Praise for resurrection power available through the Holy Spirit. Praise for power to press on. Praise for giving again and again. You alone are worthy. You alone are good. You have all power and authority. You have the keys of Hades and of Death. You have defeated our foe, dispelled his lies… Jesus You are the King… Conqueror… Redeemer… Friend. You are my Savior and I worship You. I fall on my knees… And one day with all the saints made perfect… I will rise. Thank You Jesus. Thank You for the assurance of that day… Assurance even in the midst of hardship:

"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."

(Romans 5:1–5 NKJV)