GRACE AND GLORY - PART NINE

LORD HAVE MERCY

Romans 3:1–8 (NLT)

1 Then what’s the advantage of being a Jew? Is there any value in the ceremony of circumcision? 2 Yes, there are great benefits! First of all, the Jews were entrusted with the whole revelation of God.

3 True, some of them were unfaithful; but just because they were unfaithful, does that mean God will be unfaithful? 4 Of course not! Even if everyone else is a liar, God is true. As the Scriptures say about him,

“You will be proved right in what you say,

and you will win your case in court.”

5 “But,” some might say, “our sinfulness serves a good purpose, for it helps people see how righteous God is. Isn’t it unfair, then, for him to punish us?” (This is merely a human point of view.) 6 Of course not! If God were not entirely fair, how would he be qualified to judge the world? 7 “But,” someone might still argue, “how can God condemn me as a sinner if my dishonesty highlights his truthfulness and brings him more glory?” 8 And some people even slander us by claiming that we say, “The more we sin, the better it is!” Those who say such things deserve to be condemned.

The theme of God’s mercy and grace abounding most in times of sin and darkness is not a new one.

Micah 7:18 (NKJV)

18 Who is a God like You,

Pardoning iniquity

And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage?

He does not retain His anger forever,

Because He delights in mercy.

Paul now introduces a theme that will come up consistently in the next few chapters of Romans. If God loves grace and mercy so much, aren’t we doing Him a favor by giving Him a chance to show it?

And how are we supposed to give Him the opportunity to show mercy and extend grace if we don’t make it a point to screw up?

Romans 6:1–2 (NLT)

1 Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? 2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?

In order to understand this properly, we must differentiate between grace and mercy.

Mercy is NOT receiving the just punishment for the crime you committed. You rightfully earned the penalty, but you’re not being forced to pay it. It’s a pardon.

Grace is receiving the unmerited, unearned favor of God as a gift that you did not earn as an empowerment to do what He’s called you to do, be what He’s called you to be, and have what He’s called you to have.

Grace is not the freedom to sin; it’s the freedom from sin, and God’s empowerment to live the way He made you to live.

How do you get more grace if it’s not earned?

Ephesians 2:8–9 (ESV)

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Every good thing we have was given to us by the gift of grace that we access through faith. You don’t earn it; you just receive it and live in response to it.

That response is to live free of sin and equipped to do what He’s called you to do.

James 4:6 (ESV)

6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

More grace is always available. There are graces for places and seasons and promotions. Taking the next step requires humbly walking towards grace free of pride.

Regardless of what you need tonight, there is grace available for you. Humility will require you to forget what people think about you and come to this altar to receive the empowerment you need to take whatever your next steps look like.

Maybe it’s healing for your body. It’s a grace gift. Maybe it’s a freedom from addiction. Maybe it’s direction for your career. It’s a grace gift. Maybe it’s wisdom for your relationship. It’s a grace gift. Maybe it’s breakthrough in your finances. Also a grace gift.

Grace is given to people whose humility has led them to the cross of Jesus Christ to lay down their lives and receive His mercy.

As a response to His mercy that spared us from the punishment we earned, we seek His grace to live the way He wants us to live.

It’s not an opportunity for us to live like hell so we can beg Heaven to come. It’s a response to eternity in hell being taken off the table for us and a decision to live free from sin by grace.

Regardless of what you’ve done, mercy is available and grace is abounding to you tonight.

Romans 5:20 (ESV)

20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more...

We live in a world in which sin is increasing all around us. What the world needs as a response to that sin is the body of Christ living in an increased place of grace, empowered to do the work of the Kingdom.

If you need grace for anything tonight, I want to invite you to the altar. We want to pray with you and agree with you for God’s grace in your season of life and your situation.