“...Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase?” (Romans 6:1)

Grace saved us—removed the penalty of sin and qualified us for heaven. But do we have to wait until heaven to know victory over sin? Do we just keep living in sin, with no expectation of victory until we get to heaven?

The Scripture says that by grace:

”…we have been baptized into his death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead….we too might be raised to new life!”
(see Romans 6)

God gives us resurrection power by His grace and expects grace to lead us into victory! We are to:

“…consider ourselves to be dead to sin…and alive to God
in Christ Jesus…” (Romans 6:11)

If we sin (and we will), we confess our sin and He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I Jn 1:9). So, are we just to live in our strength, expecting to be controlled by sin, and set up regular times to come crawling back to God and say: “since sin increased—again, let grace increase even more?”

To this kind of logic, Paul says, “God forbid!” We can not approach grace with the expectation that we will always walk after flesh and then call on His grace! We must live with the expectation that grace will lead me into victory and grace will let resurrection power give me victory over sin before I fall!

Although grace is there when we sin (and we will), our expectation is that He will teach us how to walk in grace…not just call on grace after we sin!

Father,

Yesterday, as we worshipped together, I asked You to kindle the fire of my faith.

Today, with a renewed perspective on my walk, I ask You to renew the expectation that grace will work in me!

I expect grace to lead me in victory…for Your glory!

In Jesus’ Name, I seek Your face by grace! Amen.