The Lord
is saying: Look up now and look towards the bright future
I have promised, for have I not said that the plans I have
for you are good. Look outward for the shakings have disturbed
you and caused you to become introverted a little. Therefore,
rise up, shake yourself off and focus, for I have good things
in store and it will take some preparing on your part for
the day that the stage curtains open.
More has been gained in the resurrection of Jesus than was
lost in the fall. More gained than lost? Can it be true?
Each day we experience the damage caused by sin entering
our world. Greed, injustice, and cruelty all trace their origins
back to Adam and Eves decision to follow their own path
rather than Gods (Gen. 3). The legacy of their disobedience
is passed down to every generation. Without Gods intervention,
we would be in a hopeless situation. But Jesus overpowered
sin through His cross and conquered death through His resurrection.
The victory of Christ is celebrated in Romans 5, often called
the much more chapter of the New Testament, where
Paul contrasts the devastation caused by sin with the restoring
power of Gods grace. In every case, grace overpowers
the consequences of sin. In a grand conclusion, Paul says:
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
(5:20-21).
No matter how much we have personally lost because of sin,
we have gained far more through the resurrection victory of
Christ. David C. McCasland
Sin and despair, like the sea-waves cold,
Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
Grace that is greateryes, grace untold
Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.
Johnston © Renewal 1939 Hope Publishing.
Our sin is greatGods grace is greater.
from http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/04/12/devotion.aspx
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