A Broke Evangelist

November 9, 2024

Romans 5:20-21

The War Between the Law and Grace

20 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

As I was browsing the web, I came across some compelling information about the U.S. Constitution’s roots and its connection to biblical principles. The question was whether the Constitution is founded on Christianity or common law and if it directly mentions God. Surprisingly, it turns out that in the early days, the U.S. was a collection of 13 colonies, each with its own constitution. All required a declaration of faith for government leaders. In nine colonies, leaders were required to be Protestant, while Maryland, which was predominantly Catholic, also required a declaration of faith. Many of these colonial constitutions explicitly acknowledged Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Additionally, 55 of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence were professing Christians. The common law tradition in the United States, inherited from English common law, was significantly influenced by biblical principles. Dr. William Blackstone, whose treatise on English law was foundational in the late 1700s, integrated concepts from Scripture into common law. Key principles of common law—presumption of innocence, due process, and trial by a jury of peers—align with values found in Leviticus 19 and represent a synthesis of ethical, moral, and ceremonial laws given to the Israelites. The command to avoid favoritism for the wealthy over the poor established the basis for today’s concept of equal justice. This idea is echoed in the New Testament, which teaches that the law applies equally to all, reflecting that God shows no partiality.

God is referenced four times in the Declaration of Independence, including in the final sentence, where it appeals to the “Supreme Judge of the world” for independence.

The book of Deuteronomy was frequently referenced by the Founding Fathers as a model for establishing a government. John Adams famously remarked that the Constitution was crafted for a morally and religiously grounded people, as most Americans at that time were Bible-believing Christians. Adams noted that only such a people could uphold the values within the Constitution. Today, a significant challenge arises because while our government is still based on Christian principles, we no longer have a predominantly Christian population. This misalignment makes it difficult to sustain liberty without a moral and faith-based society.

Maybe that’s why I see so many people unhinged about what took place this week, legally. Some people who claim to be Christians are even having their own heads explode. They go about with what they think is good theology, when they’re really trying to justify their sinful beliefs and/or lifestyle against God’s word. I’ll tell you this: I am not emotionally affected by laws that are passed or rescinded. If they were to pass a law banning marijuana, it wouldn’t bother me because I don’t smoke it. If they banned drunk driving (wait…they do!), that doesn’t bother me because I don’t drive drunk (and I wait an hour if I do before I get behind the wheel). I don’t have to worry about the legal system because I do my best to not fall outside of it. As for God’s law, I don’t have to worry about it either: I don’t engage in vice, nor do I do things (intentionally) that dishonor God. Oh yeah, sometimes I fall short of the mark, but that’s where grace comes in…God forgives me in spite of my “fallen shorts.“

Anyhow, that’s my interesting story for today…at least I found it interesting…lets move on as we get to the end of the chapter here…Romans 20-21.

Romans 5:20 – The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 

Paul has shown us that the law doesn’t justify us. Now, he adds that the law itself doesn’t even make us sinners—that blame goes to Adam. So, what’s the point of the law? It has a specific purpose: to make our offenses obvious. The law highlights our sin by setting a clear standard against God’s holiness. Think of it like holding a flawed diamond up against a flawless one; the imperfections stand out sharply. God’s perfect law does the same for us, exposing our flaws and making our sin stand out.

There’s another way the law makes sin "abound": because of our human nature. When we see a boundary, there’s a part of us that just wants to cross it! In this way, the law can actually increase sin, not because the law is flawed, but because our hearts are naturally inclined to rebel. So, the law doesn’t make us sin, but it reveals the deep issue within us that drives us toward it. It’s like that classic “wet paint” sign. Picture a freshly painted bench with a big sign that says, “Do Not Touch—Wet Paint.” For many of us, there’s an irresistible urge to reach out and touch it anyway, just to see if it’s really wet. The sign itself didn’t make us want to touch the bench—it simply revealed that curious, rule-breaking impulse inside us that was already there.

Romans 5:21 – so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Many people think that where grace is in charge, people will start to ignore righteousness and take a casual approach to sin. But that’s not what grace is about at all! In another letter, Paul explains what grace teaches us: “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age” (Titus 2:11-12). So, grace doesn’t just let things slide—it teaches and inspires us to pursue righteousness.

Grace also leads us to eternal life. But it’s more than a “ticket to heaven.” Eternal life has a quality to it—God’s own kind of life—that we start experiencing now, not just after we die.

And finally, grace reigns through Jesus. In this kingdom of grace, Jesus is the King. A life of grace keeps the focus on Jesus and others—not on ourselves. Grace recognizes that God’s favor comes to us not because of anything we bring but because of everything Jesus brings. Grace doesn’t reign through self; it reigns through Jesus.

Think of grace as a loving parent raising a child. Some people might assume that a loving parent would just let the child do whatever they want, with no rules or boundaries—after all, love means freedom, right? But in reality, the parent’s love inspires guidance, values, and even discipline to help the child grow into a responsible and kind person. This love doesn’t spoil the child or overlook their mistakes; it lovingly corrects and encourages them toward what’s right.

Grace is a lot like that. It doesn’t just let us get away with everything; it calls us to grow into lives of goodness, self-control, and integrity. Grace isn’t passive or permissive—it’s active and teaches us to live well. Grace offers more than just a “future reward” for good behavior. It’s like being given the keys to a brand-new home. You get to start living in it right away, enjoying its warmth, safety, and beauty. Eternal life is a gift that begins now, inviting us to live a life full of purpose and joy, here and into eternity. And, just like a home has an owner, the kingdom of grace has a King—Jesus. Grace keeps us focused on Him and others rather than on ourselves. We didn’t earn this gift, and we don’t need to; it’s been freely given because of who Jesus is, not who we are. Grace invites us to a life centered on Jesus, not on what we can do but on what He has already done.

Wherever grace rules, God’s righteous standard is upheld. Some legalists fear that grace will give people a free pass to sin, but Scripture doesn’t share that fear. Grace doesn’t look the other way on sin—it faces it head-on and triumphs over it. Grace doesn’t just shrug at wrongdoing; it takes on sin through the cross and wins victory through the empty tomb. Grace is no friend to sin; it’s its sworn enemy. As Thomas Benton Brooks put it, “As heat is opposed to cold, and light to darkness, so grace is opposed to sin. Fire and water may as well agree in the same vessel as grace and sin in the same heart.”

In "Pilgrim’s Progress", there’s a delightful character named “Mr. Honest.” He traveled the pilgrim’s path and saw all kinds of fellow travelers. Some started strong but turned back, while others stumbled at first but finished well. Some began with faith only to end in doubt, while others found even greater assurance along the way. Mr. Honest knew the highs and lows of the Christian journey, and he summed it all up in his final words: “Mr. Honest called for his friends and said to them, ‘I die, but shall make no will. As for my honesty, it shall go with me.’” When his time came to cross over, he found the river at flood stage. But in his lifetime, Mr. Honest had arranged for a friend named Good-Conscience to meet him there. Good-Conscience lent him a hand and helped him over. And Mr. Honest’s last words? “Grace reigns!” And with that, he left the world.

That brings me to the end of Romans 5 (the first of 100 of the most important bible chapters to study), where I studied that “scriptocurrency” blockchain that starts with justification, followed by tribulation, perseverance, character, hope, dependence, reconciliation, grace, righteousness and eternal life! Chains are meant to be strong and as long as my grip is secure, that chain won’t break!

More to come...Romans 6 comes next!

A Broke Evangelist – November 9, 2024

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