Oceans in the Desert

Kathi Pelton

My husband and I went to see the movie, “Paul, Apostle of Christ” yesterday. As I was watching it Paul spoke the words from Romans 5:20,

“…where sin abounds, grace abound more exceedingly.”

I love the way that The Message translates Romans 5:20-21:

“All that passing laws against sin did was produce more lawbreakers. But sin didn’t, and doesn’t, have a chance in competition with the aggressive forgiveness we call grace. When it’s sin versus grace, grace wins hands down. All sin can do is threaten us with death, and that’s the end of it. Grace, because God is putting everything together again through the Messiah, invites us into life—a life that goes on and on and on, world without end.” Romans‬ ‭5:20-21‬ ‭

So often believers try to deal with areas of sin in their lives through putting “laws” upon their lives that demand a ceasing of the unlawful activity and yet find that they still continue to violate the law that they’ve placed upon themselves. Sometimes the stronger they try to enforce the self-imposed law, the worse the sin becomes.

I have a suggestion if this is you or you know someone who is dealing with an area of sin that they have not been able to find freedom from. Let God impose His grace upon you.

It was by grace that you were saved and it is the same grace that will set you free from the sins that have sought to imprison you and then condemn you as “guilty.” Jesus paid the ultimate price for your sin, He paid the price that we could not pay and took both the sin and the guilt upon Himself so that you can be set free…by grace!

Sin brings death and grace gives life. Law brings more sin and grace sets you free. Today receive life by receiving His life-giving grace. In place of your self-imposed law receive the grace that was paid for by the One who knew no sin.

Choose life by choosing to allow grace to wash over you. Law merely proves you guilty—causing sin to abound all the more—but grace declares you innocent and sets you free.

“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!” Deuteronomy 30:19

God desires only to give you life and blessings…for you and your descendants. Law (or religion) demands a price for your sin but Jesus already paid that price, so why are you still imposing law and penalty against what has already been paid for? Choose life today by choosing the grace that sets you free.

Do you remember the words to the old familiar hymn “Amazing Grace”? Sing them over your life today, sing them over your struggle and the sin that has sought to declare your guilt. His amazing grace has already declared your innocence by paying the full price of your sin. Receive His amazing grace.

“Amazing Grace, How sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me

I once was lost, but now am found

T’was blind but now I see

T’was Grace that taught my heart to fear

And Grace, my fears relieved

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed

Through many dangers, toils and snares

We have already come.

T’was grace that brought us safe thus far

And grace will lead us home

Amazing grace, How Sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me

I once was lost but now am found

T’was blind but now I see

This amazing grace is the power that will set you free.

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15959 SW Sundew Drive

Tigard, Oregon 97223

(Please make checks payable to Jeffrey & Kathi Pelton)