The Reign of Grace
Romans 5:20-21 ESV
Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
1st The Role of the Law
Romans 5:20a ESV
Now the law came in…
Romans 3:20 NLT
For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.
Romans 5:20a NLT
God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were.
1. The law defines sin for us
Romans 5:13 NLT
Yes, people sinned even before the law was given. But it was not counted as sin because there was not yet any law to break.
Romans 7:7b NIV
I would not have known what sin was except through the law.
2. The law demonstrates sin’s control over us
Romans 7:7b-8 NIV
For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “Do not covet.” But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire.
3. The law increases sin
Romans 5:20 ESV
Now the law came in to increase the trespass…
Romans 5:20 NLT
God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more…
2nd The Rule of Sin
Romans 5:21a ESV
so that, as sin reigned in death…
Romans 5:21a NLT
So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death…
1. Sin rules: people die physically
Romans 5:12 ESV
Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—
2. Sin rules: people are dead spiritually
Colossians 2:13 NLT
You were dead because of your sins… Then God made you alive with Christ.
Ephesians 2:1 NIV
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,
3. Sin rules: people are controlled by Satan
Ephesians 2:2 NLT
You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.
2 Corinthians 4:4 NLT
Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.
4. Sin rules: people cannot keep from sinning
Genesis 8:21 NLT
And the LORD was pleased with the aroma of the sacrifice and said to himself, “I will never again curse the ground because of the human race, even though everything they think or imagine is bent toward evil from childhood.
3rd The Reign of Grace
Romans 5:20 ESV
Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,
Romans 5:21 ESV
[so that], grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 1:7 ESV
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 3:22 NLT
We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ.
Romans 3:24 NLT
Yet God freely and graciously declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.
Romans 5:1 ESV
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:11 ESV
we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Romans 5:15 NIV
how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ
Romans 5:17 NIV
how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
Romans 6:23 NIV
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 5:21 ESV
Grace reigns through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
