To access the grace of God, righteous living is required!
There are two fundamental principles about grace that run through scriptures. One has to do with God’s nature, while the other has to do with man’s nature.
It is part of God’s divine nature to punish sin. This is why Romans 6:23 says: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” God hates sin and cannot overlook it forever. Therefore, He must punish sin.
The human race fell into sin through the disobedience of Adam, our first representative on earth (Romans 5:18). Then, by our own disobedience, man has proved to be Adam’s true descendant. So, in two ways-all have sinned-representatively, in our first forefather Adam, and individually, by our own wrong choices.
This explains why Romans 3:23 says: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
Paul said, “Is this an excuse for man to continue in sin and expect grace to abound?”
“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? (Romans 6:1-2).
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” (Romans 6:6).
“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” (Romans 6:14).
Therefore, awake unto righteousness!
“Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak [this] to your shame.” (1 Corinthians 15:34).
shalom!
#pstnath.
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