sin abound!! God's wonderful grace yet more abundant

[anna274]

Romans 5:20-21  (NLT)
God's law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were.  But as people sinned more and more, God's wonderful grace became more abundant.  So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God's wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

from JFB Bible Commentary

"The comparison here is between the multiplication of one offense into countless transgressions and such an outflow of grace as more than meets the appalling case."

Earlier this morning as I was scanning the 4-5 newspapers (from the surrounding small towns) made available for our information and entertainment, I was saddened by all the "evil" news... but continued flipping the pages...on Page 7 of one of these small town newspapers, my eye caught the huge, bold letters
LET US FORGIVE AND BE FORGIVEN

An article written by a Lutheran Pastor in the Pastor's Perspective Column... Such wonderful "good" news. It was just what I needed and, of course, Father knew that...I felt His strong arm around my shoulders and heard a very loving, but firm voice "My child, Why are you still fretting? O ye of little faith.  REST in Me, wait patiently...    My child, Why are you so angry?  REST in My love, in My peace."

Now a few hours later...He has brought me into that peace which passeth understanding... and I'm so grateful that God used a Lutheran Pastor's article in a secular newspaper which hopefully will bless many other readers as well.  I decided to share the entire article

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Philippians 4:8 "Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

Whatever will you do today?

Paul's remarkable words become even more remarkable when we remember the situation of his writing.  Paul, under arrest and facing death, writes to the Christian people living in the city of Philippi.  Take a moment to read through his letter.  It is full of life and hope, and the ending is no exception.  Paul ends his letter with this generous outpouring of verbiage, overflowing with the rush adjective after adjective.  "Whatever is..." doesn't mean any old thing, nor does the rising tide of adjectives widen the pool of activities.  On the contrary, with each short phrase, Paul is closing in the net, tightening his grip, until we find out the very precious few things that are all at once true and honorable and just and pure and lovely and commendable and excellent and worthy of praise.

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Too long....

so I'll just type the final paragraph.

...It is God who has lifted our burdens.  It is God in whom we rest.  And the peace of God, may it pass your understanding to guard you in your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.  Whatever will we do today!  Let us forgive and be forgiven, whether we are chains or free, living or dying, joyful or mourning.  LET US LIVE IN THE GRACE OF THE GOD WHO LOVED US, SAVED US.

[ed]

Think I found it.

Thanks for sharing.

http://www.southernminn.com/janesville_argus/opinion/article_e3cd26db-16ad-5475-b456-1b969e1781d6.html

[anna274]

thanks ed.