ABOUNDING GRACE

by John R. Blalock

of Portland, Oregon

Just now I am moved to write upon this subject because there are those who teach that God's grace is extended to only a certain chosen few, "the elect", who receive that grace simply because they have been chosen, while others have not had grace extended to them because, it being "irresistible grace," they too, would receive it and be saved. God's word does not teach such favoritism as this.

"But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound." Romans 5:20. This verse from Romans 5, the "much more" chapter, makes plain the extent of God's grace.

I. WHERE SIN ABOUNDED

"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all men have sinned." Romans 5:12. How far did sin abound? Surely no one can deny that the Bible teaches that sin abounds to all men from Adam down to the end of time. "There is none righteous, no, not one." Romans 3:10. "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23. Again and again the Bible teaches that sin is universal to all mankind. Because sin is universal, the penalty, death, is also universal. "It is appointed unto men once to die." Everywhere, on every hand, the dead and dying, the funerals and cemeteries bear mute witness to the truth of God's Word. Sin and death have abounded to all mankind.

II. BUT WHERE SIN ABOUNDED, GRACE DID MUCH MORE ABOUND.

How can anyone interpret this otherwise than that God's grace does abound to all mankind? Moreover that this grace is much more abounding even than the sin?

This grace must of necessity be more abounding, for it was procured by the precious blood of God's "only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father." John 1:18. The sin committed was by mere creatures of this earth, but the price paid and the suffering made were by the infinite Son of God from heaven. No wonder Paul declares that grace did much more abound!

I cannot deny that God's grace was irresistible to me. Truly it is irresistible to everyone who turns with simple faith to the Christ who loved them so. However God's grace and love, which are inseparable, are extended to all mankind. Some sinners repent and receive this grace of God, but others resist to their own condemnation. John 3:18-29. It is God's marvelous grace that His Holy Spirit works on the hearts of men. "Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised of heart and ears," cried Stephen, "ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did so do ye." Acts 7:51. Paul explains that "the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ should shine unto them." II Cor. 4:4.

"Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound." How great are these words! How marvelous the grace of God! Truly He is no respecter of persons (Romans 2:11), and even the vilest, even the chief of sinners can be saved, if he will humbly repent and trust in God's Son, Jesus Christ, who died for him.

NEWS OF THE DAY

Brother Gordon Wiegold, missionary of Kings Addition Baptist Church to Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, Canada, writes of the salvation of a neighbor. You can read about it here. Please pray for this man of God as he heads to the mission field and also pray for this new christian and rejoice with all the host of heaven.

Mountain View Baptist Church
To Ordain Two

Link

Mountain View Baptist Church of Kelso, Washington hosts a fellowship meeting the second Friday of each month. At the one coming up Friday December 11th 2009 they plan to ordain two men. Tony Marquand to be ordained as a minister of the Gospel, and Tim Handcock to be ordained as a deacon. If you can, come and help celebrate this happy occasion. If you cannot, please pray for these men as they embark on a life devoted to God's service.

If your church has a special meeting coming up that you would like mentioned here, please E-Mail me at edit@BaptistLandmarks.org and let me know. I will put it in the next issue.

IRON SHARPENETH IRON

Letters To The Editor

Still there have been no letters to the editor. Folks if you want to respond to something you have read in "Baptist Landmarks" please E-Mail your response to edit@BaptistLandmarks.org Your response will be printed here.

I would like to have a cartoon in each issue if possible. If there is someone reading this paper who can draw cartoons that will cause us to laugh at the foolish things we sometimes do and cause us to think of how we could better serve our Savior, please E-Mail me and let me know.

Pray For:

   1. Each member of your family.
   2. The other members of your church.
   3. Revival in the churches in the U.S.A.
   4. The missionaries supported by your church.
   5. Other missionaries not supported financially by your church.
   6. Christians, churches, and missionaries in dangerous places.
   7. Our country and our soldiers in harm's way.
   8. Our leaders that they would learn to acknowledge God.
   9. Our schools that they would learn to acknowledge God.
   (I know your kids don't go to public schools
   but your neighbor's kids do.)
   10. Home missions.
   11. Rivers of Mercy Children's Home in Mexico   City

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