God’s Divine Grace
BRD REFLECTIONS
Romans 5:12-21 and Psalm 128 (NIV)
(Shirley Koo, Chairperson, Wesley GYM)
READ:
Romans 5:12-21 (ESV)
v20: ….But where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.
OBSERVE:
v12 – .. Sin entered the world through 1 man: Adam.
By Adam’s offence, Man stands cursed in Adam’s lineage and born condemned unto eternal death because of our sinful nature and sins. The Law defined sin and showed us how sinful, wretched and helpless Man is.
v15 – Grace is our only hope and is the free gift of 1 man – Jesus Christ.
Through His sacrificial death at the Cross, Man is saved and receives grace, justification by faith and the promise of eternal life. Only Grace offers all sinners a second chance and makes them citizens of heaven – joint heirs with Him (Rev 3:21). This is the Good News that God gave us — the only way forward into a restored relationship with Him.
v20 – “where sin increased, grace abounded all the more”.
There is no sin too many or too bad that grace cannot cover.
APPLY:
Everyone bears a story of God’s patience and grace in his or her life. He hears every prayer uttered and our part is to never give up praying when we don’t see results.
It was during my childhood that God opened my eyes to His first lesson on grace.
Three days before his death, Grandpa requested to be baptised. In his dying breath, he uttered, “Jesus, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Thereafter he was fully at peace and shed tears of joy whenever the hymn “Jesus loves me” was played or sung.
It was very touching and humbling for a proud man like Grandpa to ask God for forgiveness.
How much rejoicing in heaven there must be over Grandpa’s salvation that day!
God’s abounding grace had finally reached him and reclaimed him for His own.
I believe God never forgot grandma’s devotion, love and prayers. He graciously rewarded her faithfulness in praying by faith without seeing.
Oh, the thought of God lovingly and patiently waiting for every one of His children to return to Him as Jesus interceded on our behalf at the Cross, saying: “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.”
This is truly God’s abounding grace.
DO:
Like Grandpa, I am very thankful to be forgiven and even loved by Him.
Looking back, God sometimes allows hard things to happen in our lives or takes different aspects of our lives which are broken or without hope to create something new and meaningful, and to give us a future of hope. He becomes the Potter full of grace for everyone.
As I give the broken pieces of my life to a forgiving, loving Father who knows me best, He will refashion my heart and my dreams, and draws me into a deeper relationship with Him.
He opens my eyes to see people, things and situations through His perspectives and will continue to guide and direct my path (Psalm 32:8).
I have been saved by grace from the death trap of sin into life with Christ. Jesus’ mission has become my mission because it’s a privilege to belong to the Body of Christ and be a co-partner in praying, caring, obeying and serving His Church.
PRAY:
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for Your manifold blessings and abounding grace in saving a wretch like me.
Thank You for Your precious gift of eternal life. Give me grace, Abba Father, to be focused and steadfast in prayer and to hide Your Word in my heart that I may not sin against You.
Forgive my disobedience and shortcomings. Help me cultivate fellowship with others and be a reflection of Your gospel of patient love in going forward, and displaying Your grace in my life.
May all honour and glory be forever Yours, always. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
