Grace Unbounded
There is an amazing and fabulous truth explained in Romans 5:20
“The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more…” [NIV].
In English we can certainly make a start to grasp Paul’s meaning — wherever there is sin God’s grace is there to cover it — but a quick dive into Greek reveals something truly amazing about this grace!
In the King James translation of this verse the translators use the words “sin” instead of “trespass” and “abounded” instead of “increase”. Although it sounds quite stilted and archaic to our ears, and maybe a little obscure and difficult to grasp, in terms of content this is a very good translation.
“Sin” in this context refers to indiscriminate, and both intentional and unintentional, violations of God’s will and purposes because of the thoughts and actions of mankind.
Pre-Moses, in our ignorance, we humans didn’t truly understand how far our pride had taken us from God’s standards. But once the Law of the Lord was spelled out, it became increasingly obvious just how far away from perfection our sinful natures had taken us! Paul’s description of this increased perception and understanding was that sin increasingly “abounded”. The more we understood how pervasive the problem was, the more we recognized that sin “abounded" even more than we first thought!
It’s a little like buying a new car. Before you buy it you probably never notice that color, make or model on the road. After you buy it, that make, model and color seems to be everywhere!
The greek word for “increased” (right after “sin” in NIV) could be translated as “existed in abundance”. In other words, you didn’t have to look very far or hard to find copious amounts of evidence of sin - it seems to be everywhere! And the more you look, the worse the problem seems to become.
However, the second word for “increased” (coming right after “grace”) is a different word in Greek. It too has the meaning of “existing in abundance” but is much more forceful and means “exists in excessive abundance”. It’s like the difference between “full” and “gushing and overflowing” in English.
A good way to think of it is that you may feel thirsty and would like a bottle of water to drink, but when you ask for a bottle a whole truckload of water shows up, accompanied by an ice truck in case you need it cooled down as well. However thirsty you thought you were, there was not only more than enough to take care of your need, there was enough to fill a swimming pool and set up an ice rink! The solution is “over the top” in terms of extravagance. It’s superabundance!! That’s the grace Paul is talking about! Out-of-this world grace, over-the-top grace, no rationing or skimping or stinginess about this grace!
Dr. Kenneth Wuest translates this verse as “Where sin existed in abundance, grace was in superabundance, and then some more added on top of that.”
Understanding this verse means you can never again believe that anyone could be so far depraved as to be outside the possibility of God’s grace. Such a person may not take advantage of what is offered, but it is offered nonetheless and is not only sufficient, but vastly in excess of what is required. We get to understand that God is wildly extravagant in lavishing his grace and love on his creation. If that does not provoke a spontaneous “Hallelujah!” I don’t know what does!
“Amazing grace” indeed!
Blessings on you and yours,
Jim Black
This Week's Schedule
9:30 am - Combined Sunday School - In-Person, VBS Bible Classroom
11:00 am - Worship Service - In-Person and Facebook
TUESDAY:
6:00 pm - Men's Bible Study - In Fireside Room
THURSDAY:
10:00 am - CAMEO: Chunky Knit Craft with Denise Wong
Send praise reports and prayer requests or concerns to Marion Black.
- Pray for the Jones family as they are on vacation.
- Pray for Edward Fuel and Brunell Gugelmann who will be attending the National Seminar on Evangelism at Glen Eyrie, Colorado Springs, CO.
- Pray for those with health and housing concerns.
- Pray for all the children who made commitments to follow Jesus at VBS.
Upcoming Events: August
2-6 - Western Music Institute Online (see flyer attached)
6 - First YouthForce Meeting (see flyer attached)
6 - Western Youth Institute (online)
6 - Kelly Garduno's Celebration of Life and Memorial Service (see flyer attached)
6-8 - Walmart Stuff the Bus Campaign - Martinez Location
13 - Western Youth Institute (online)
14 - Back to School Event & Boy Scouts' Yard Sale (see flyer attached)
16 - Registration for Divisional Youth Retreat DUE
20 - Western Youth Institute (online)
27 - Western Youth Institute (online)
28 - Divisional Band & Songsters Rehearsal
Back to School Giveaway
We will also have a collection bin at Walmart in Martinez. Feel free to bring supplies down or order online from our registry: https://www.walmart.com/registry/registryforgood/6dee4d89-c65d-4559-be76-a5b7f9cf807c/view.
If you would like to assist with the packing and distribution of the supplies, please let Major Ann know.
Save the Date: Senior Luncheon
The Del Oro Divisional Senior Luncheon will be Friday, September 10th, at the Concord Corps. Registration and activities start at 10:00 am, lunch will be at 11:30 am, and the event will end approximately at 1:00 pm.
The cost is $10 per person and the deadline to send in our registration is Monday, August 30th. Please let Major Ann Jones if you would like to attend.
The theme is, Mary Poppin’s “Jolly Holiday.” We encourage wearing costumes or attire to go along with the theme.
The Salvation Army Concord Corps
Email: annmarguerite.jones@usw.salvationarmy.org
Website: https://www.salvationarmyconcordca.org
Location: 3950 Clayton Road, Concord, CA, USA
Phone: (925) 676-6180
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/saconcord