“WHERE sin abounded, grace did much more abound: that as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 5:2121That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5:21)).
This wonderful statement is in connection with a grand development of truth in regard to two empires or reigning powers; and we desire, for our readers, that each and all should think how they stand in connection with these two powers.
The evidence of the existence of one of these powers is not far to seek. Every village churchyard is an undeniable witness of the reign of sin. “Sin hath reigned unto death”; and this reign is connected with lawlessness and corruption. Nor is it only because Adam sinned that all die; for “all have sinned”.
But our Scripture speaks of another reign, the reign of grace. Now, we venture to say that this empire could not come fully into view until one great event had taken place.
Into this scene where all, at one time or another, have come under the power of sin, one holy, sinless Man has come. But over this Man sin had no power. It did not, could not, bring Him unto death, as it had done mankind as a race. He was here voluntarily to break the power of sin, to abolish death, and to bring “life and incorruptibility “to light through the gospel. How good it is, therefore, for poor, lost, ruined sinners to know that One sinless Man has been where sin was reigning unto death; that He lived a holy, righteous life, sin having no power over Him; and that, though He could have left the scene free from sin’s wages, He stooped even unto death; and, for all who believe on Him, and subject themselves to Him, He brought (through death) the dominion of sin to an end forever.
How necessary, then, for all who hear the gospel of the grace of God to come under the rule of Him, who, in love to them, has in Himself ended the dominion of sin and death, and brought to light another empire ― that of grace ― which, through Jesus Christ our Lord, “reigns through righteousness unto eternal life.”
May our reader be brought into this God-given light in regard to His gracious reigning power, and, by submission to the One who administers all blessing in this empire, even Jesus Christ our Lord, come into the good of God’s day of salvation.
L. O. L.