Much More, by Rev. Joe K. Ballard of the 5th chapter of Romans in the King James Bible for Christians

The epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans hold so many interesting and momentous truths. These truths in each chapter are so interwoven throughout the book, it's hard to isolate any one chapter from the whole. Take, for instance, the second chapter; it begins with the word, therefore – giving reference to the subject matter of the first chapter. The third chapter, what advantage then hath the Jew? The fourth chapter, what shall we say then that Abraham, our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? The fifth chapter, Therefore being justified by faith we have peach with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. The sixth chapter, what shall we say then, Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? Each opening verse seems to have been inspired by the central truth of the previous chapter. The statement, There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, that opens the eighth chapter, cannot be understood without a knowledge of the previous chapter. Paul's heart's desire and prayer for Israel that introduces the reader to the tenth chapter of Romans is based upon the ninth, where we see the blinding of Israel and God's mercy to the Gentiles. Other chapters follow this pattern but I must call your attention to this profound statement that brings in chapter twelve. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

The church at Rome was composed of heathens and Jews, the latter were taught to consider themselves the only people of the earth to whom the Divine favor of God extended. They believed that they alone had a right to the Messiah's kingdom; that the giving to them the Law and the Prophets, which had not been given to any other people, was the fullest proof that the blessings did not extend to the nations of the earth. The Gentiles could be saved but only in consequence of their becoming circumcised and taking on them the yoke of the Law. The Roman Gentiles, which formed a part of the church at Rome, were educated in perfect contempt of Judaism and the Jews, haters of all mankind, degraded with superstitions, rejected and abandoned by God, whom they professed to trust. It was a ideal place for satan to foster scandal, contention, hatred and misunderstanding.

What a challenge to the apostle Paul, but remember, he said he was ready to preach the Gospel to the people at Rome. The Apostle had to confound the pride of the Jew and the Gentile. The object was to show the Jew that he had broken the law and consequently forfeited the rights and privileges, which only the obedient had a right to expect. Revenge, hatred and pride had to be erased from the hearts of the Gentiles. In short, they were both to drink at the same fountain. They were to learn that the Church, Christ's body was to be composed of the Jew and Gentile. They were to learn the true intent of the law. The law, interwoven with the political life of Israel was weighted down with added customs and superstitions. The law administered by greedy and unethical priests made merchandise of the people. The temple, a monument of pride to the Jewish people had become a den of thieves. The money changers and the merchants selling animals of sacrifice, were allowed on the inside of the temple. Jesus platted a whip and drove them out. Alas! The sacrifices under the law and the law together with the Prophets, were God ordained and instituted for the purpose of pointing out Christ, failed to enlighten the Jews, due to the blindness of their hearts. Those sacrifices prefigured Christ. There is a scarlet thread that reaches from Genesis 3:21, where the first sacrifice is mentioned, all the way through the scriptures and comes to rest at Calvary, where Christ, God's Son, gave His life a ransom for all mankind. Christ was the Lamb of God slain from before the foundation of the world. A forethought in the mind of God, not an afterthought.

In Romans, the 5th chapter and verse 9, we read: Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. Justified is a powerful word and holds such a wealth of meaning to every child of God. It means to be absolved from, blameless, just as if one had never sinned. Paul asks the question in Romans 8:33: who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Paul, in covering this great subject in the third chapter of Romans, tells us that Christ was set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood. He tells us that man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Let's get one thing straight now, we are not talking about a mere mental accent to the doctrine of Christianity.

In the 12th chapter of the book of Exodus God instructs Moses in the application of the blood. Exodus, the going out or departure of the Israelites from Egypt, is the most remarkable fact mentioned in the book. In the tenth chapter of Exodus Pharaoh offers his fourth compromise to Moses, which was readily refused. Pharaoh had offered to compromise differences with Moses before. At one time Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, “Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land.” Those last words, in the land, was satan's snare. Serve God if you must, but stay in Egypt. No use to make any drastic change. This path leads to world conformity and people pleasing. His second offer was very little different. He told Moses that he would let him go, that he might sacrifice to the Lord his God in the wilderness, only ye shall not go very far away. Don't go overboard. If you show much concern for the Lord and His word, you are sure to be called a fanatic.

The third compromise was very subtle and perhaps used with some degree of success where children are involved. In the 10th chapter of Exodus beginning with the 8th verse, we read: Moses and Aaron were brought again unto Pharaoh: and he said unto them, Go, serve the Lord your God: but who are they that shall go? And Moses said, We will go with our young and with our old, and with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds will we go; for we must hold a feast unto the Lord.

And he said unto them, Let the Lord be so with you, as I will let you go, and your little ones,: look to it, for evil is before you, Not so: go now ye that are men, and serve the Lord; for that ye did desire. In other words, let the aged go if they must but let the children enjoy the pleasures of life.

Of course the compromise was refused. Household salvation is an alarming doctrine to satan. It is possible to believe for ourselves and our household. Acts 16:31.

Now let's take a look at the fourth compromise mentioned earlier in Exodus 10:24-26. And Pharaoh called unto Moses, and said, Go ye, serve the Lord; only let your flocks and your herds be stayed: let your little ones also go with you.

And Moses said, Thou must give us also sacrifice and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice unto the Lord our God.

Our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not an hoof be left behind; for thereof must we take to serve the Lord our God; and we know not with what we must serve the Lord, until we come thither.

Three days journey into the wilderness, time for worship and sacrifice and the return trip would have required a lot of cattle for food alone. But notice, Moses never stressed the need of food but he made a point of cattle for sacrifice. Serve God without a sacrifice – it can't be done. If satan can get between us and the sacrifice – God serving service is impossible.

Now let's take a look at the 12th chapter of Exodus where Moses is instructed in the application of the blood. Moses was told to speak to the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for an house. The lamb was to be without blemish, a male of the first year. They were to keep the lamb up until the fourteenth day of the same month, and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel were to kill in the evening. Then they were to take of the blood and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of their houses. The Lord told them that he would pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt. Both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgement: I am the Lord. And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the house where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. You see, this was the Lord's Passover.

Yes, friend, the lamb was slain, the life of the innocent was forfeited, but that was not enough, the blood must be applied. This answers to personal faith and refutes universalism. The blood, applied of itself, without anything else, provided a perfect protection from judgement. The death angel could not touch that house. The worshiper, by bringing his offering had identified himself with his sacrifice, there they were united or welded together. Oh! What a marvelous truth. Note these verses in the 2nd chapter of Hebrews.

11. For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren.

12. Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise.

13. And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I am the children which God hath given me.

14. Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

15. And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

16. For verify he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

Yes, in verse 13 above the word declares that God hath given us to Christ. Jesus tells us in St. John 6:39-40, This is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which He hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

At the command of God, Moses saw to it that the blood was applied and God's children were protected from judgment. We too, by virtue of our faith in the shed blood of Christ at Calvary, have passed from death unto life and shall not come into judgment, according to John 5:24.

God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. Much more.

Romans 5:10: For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. To reconcile is to restore to friendship and fellowship. Old Testament reconciliation contains the idea of an atonement. (Lev. 6:30; 16:20; Ezek. 45: 19-20). In the New Testament it possesses the idea, to change thoroughly from one position to another. Reconciliation therefore means that someone is completely altered and adjusted to a new life.

Let's take a look at some scriptures on this subject. Note Paul in Colossians 1:20-22: And having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in the earth, or things in heaven.

And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled.

In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight.

Since there is no peace for the wicked and man was in a sinful state, it required a conciliation to be made to restore peace between God and man. When man fell from his high estate in the garden he broke fellowship with his maker. However, peace could not be affected without an atonement for sin, and the scripture shows that the blood of Christ shed on the cross was necessary to make the atonement. In Matthew we read, she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus; for he shall save his people from their sins. Jesus came into the world for one purpose, to save Adam's lost race. The perfection of the gospel is not an allowance for sin, but an atonement for sin. Herein lies the mystery of the incarnation – Deity had to have a body to offer as a sacrifice for the atonement. Don't think for one moment that it was pity that caused God to forgive our sins. Christ atoned for our sins. Paul tell us that, we are justified freely, by God's grace, through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ. Redemption, “to deliver by paying a price.” The thought constantly impressed upon the Israelites was, that they belonged to God, because he redeemed, that is, saved them from bondage. They were in bondage to the Egyptians and unable to free themselves. We were in bondage to satan and sin and like the Israelites, were unable to free ourselves. The Jews were blind to the fact of their bondage. In the eighth chapter of St. John, Jesus told the Jews that they would know the truth and that the truth would make them free. They answered him, we be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayeth thou, ye shall be made free?

Jesus answered them, verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

If the Son, therefore, shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. In the 37th verse Jesus said, “I know ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word has no place in you.” In the 39th verse he said, “If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.” They were the seed of Abraham by natural posterity. Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness. If they had been children of Abraham they would have been men of like faith. My friend, you are not a child of God because you live in American, or because your parents were Christians. You are not in the family of God because you belong to a church, or was baptized, or confirmed as a child, but you become His child by the new birth. You must accept Christ as your Saviour and believe in the atonement at Calvary.

God could not wink at sin, he could not look the other way when man sinned and scorned the laws of God. He had to do right by his holy law. Christ came to our rescue. He ransomed us, he redeemed us from death. We were under the sentence of death. In Ezekiel 18:4 God said: Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine; the soul that sinneth, it shall die. You see God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. Now if man believes, he is not condemned, but, if he does not believe, he is condemned already. Yes, we were under the sentence of death, but Christ came forth with the purchase price, His blood. The Son of God did not come to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. We have been redeemed by the blood of Christ and never again to be exposed to sale. There is now no condemnation to them that are in Christ, for the law of the spirit of life in Christ, hath made them free from the law of sin and death.

Redemption centers in the atoning work of Christ as the price paid for human redemption; therefore he is our Redeemer. As our Redeemer, he was divinely appointed. In the work of redemption, the love of God and the love of Christ, God's Son, is demonstrated. As we learned concerning Israel, redemption implies previous bondage. The word refers primarily to man's subjection to the curse and domination of sin. In a secondary sense to the bondage of satan as the head of the kingdom of darkness and also, to the bondage of death, as the penalty of sin. This bondage is represented in scripture as both universal and limited. It is universal, in that salvation is offered to all; Christ died that whosoever will, might have eternal life. It's limited in that only those, who meet the condition laid down in the gospel, can receive it. It was not the blood that was shed the night of the Passover in Egypt that was effective, it was the blood applied. Satan is no longer our captor and death has lost its sting and terror. Now we look forward to the redemption of the body.

Now let's consider the last clause of the 10th verse of Romans 5: we shall be saved by his life. Remember we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. The enmity in the heart of man rendered reconciliation necessary. Satan blinds us, and sometimes, perhaps, we are not aware of, nor, do we suspect that any enmity exists in our hearts. However, there is an aversion and a rebellion to holiness in all of Adam's race and consequently to the author of Life. We shall be saved by his life. He died for our sins, and he arose for our justification. Or, he arose to justify our faith in his death. When Christ died, all his promises to a lost world died with him, when he was placed in the tomb, they too, were placed in the tomb with him. When he lay silent in the grave, they too, were silent. Was he only a man with a hopeless dream? No, no my friend, he arose and when he came forth, all his promises came alive too. “The highway of the seed,” Abel, Seth, Noah, Shem, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, David and Immanuel – Christ did not end in oblivion. All the families of the earth have access to the blessing of salvation because of Christ – “the seed of the woman.

Christ's resurrection to life is the grand proof that he has accomplished whatever he had purposed in reference to the salvation of man. This may also refer to his life of intercession for us, Hebrews 12:25. Through this life of intercession we are spared and blessed every day.

“What great provision God has made
In Jesus' death on Calvary!
I hung with Him upon the tree,
And in His tomb I too was laid.

I rose with Him from out of the grave
And how shall I who died to sin.
Continue still to live therein,
The victor living as the slave?

At God's right hand He took His place,
And while for saints my Saviour pleads,
My heart for sinners intercedes
That they might know His saving grace.

Oh, what a name to me is given –
A son of God, by second birth!
I represent Him on the earth
He represents me now in Heaven.

As Jesus dwells beyond the skies,
I dwell within this world of strife;
And as He lives within my life,
In Him I'm in the heavenlies!”

--Barbara E. Cornet

We were crucified with Christ and when we believe on Christ and accept him as our Saviour, the new birth becomes a reality. We are a new creation. Romans 6:5-9. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now, if we be dead with Christ, we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. Then death has no more dominion over us. We are passed from death unto life and death has no more claim on us. The old creation, this flesh, is consigned to death but the New Creation Life in Christ is destined for glory. We have an unsevered portion of the Life of God, that Life that ever was and ever shall be. Now according to the 9th verse of Romans 5, Christ being raised from the dead, dieth no more, and Paul informs us in Colossians 3:4: when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Yes, we shall be saved by His Life and Christ is our life. Oh, what a Saviour!

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. The law was a spirit of death, by which those who were under it were bound down, because of their sin, to condemnation and death. The law pardoned no sin, changed no heart, reformed no life; found man in sin and consigned him to death. the Gospel proclaims Jesus the Saviour; and what the law bound unto death, It looses to Life Eternal. Christ Jesus is our wisdom, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption. God hath made it so. I Cor. 1:30. John 3:14-15. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so much the Son of Man be lifted up:

When the Lord sent the fiery serpents among the children of Israel because of their murmuring and complaining, they told Moses to pray unto the Lord that he take away the serpents. Moses prayed for the people, and the Lord said unto Moses: "Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live."

And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived. Numbers 21:8-9.

They exercised faith, by beholding or looking at the brazen serpent on the pole and they lived. From what Jesus said in reference to this incident we may learn:

1) That as the serpent was lifted upon the pole, Jesus Christ was lifted upon the cross.

2) That as the children of Israel were to look upon the brazen serpent, so sinners must look to Christ for salvation.

3) That as God provided no other remedy for the bitten Israelites, so has He provided no other way of salvation, other than faith in the blood of Christ.

4) It was not the serpent, or looking at it but the invisible power of God that healed the people, because of the obedience of faith.

So it was not the cross of Christ or his merely being crucified, but the pardon he has bought by his blood, communicated to believing hearts, by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit, that saves the souls of men.

The serpent is a symbol of sin judged. You see, the Israelite by beholding the brazen serpent, acknowledged his sin and also he was acknowledging the cure. They identified themselves with sin and with the cure. They had been told to look upon the brazen serpent and live. It was a serpent that deceived Eve in the garden. Satan has always been a deceiver. Jesus said that he was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there was no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

As the brazen serpent was lifted upon a pole so was Christ lifted upon a cross. When we accept the atonement at Calvary, we too, acknowledge our sin and God's only remedy, the shed blood. Christ suffered in our stead; died for us; bore our sins in his own body upon the tree, for the Lord laid on Him the iniquities of us all.

John 3:14: "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up."
John 12:31: "Now is the judgement of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out."
Verse 32: "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me."
Verse 33: "This he said, signifying what death he should die." These verses from the book of John taken together with Numbers 21:9: "And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived;" fixes the symbolic meaning of brass as divine manifestation in judgement. In short, brass speaks of judgement.

Note these two words, any man. They hold a wealth of meaning to use. Any man - has nothing to do with a man's station in life, his color, origin or race. Any man - has nothing to do with a man's poverty, his wealth, his education or his ignorance. It was not luck - it never just happened. It was not decided by the flip of a coin or the casting of lots. Any man - in this case meant every man that beheld the brazen serpent lived. And so it is with salvation through Christ. Whosoever will may come and be saved. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." "Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world."

The theme of this second chapter is Romans 5:10 but since the eleventh seems to form a part of the subject we must also take a look at it. Note these two verses.

"For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life."

"And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement."

The word means to cover or cancel. It is that special result of Christ's sacrificial suffering and death by which all that exercise proper faith receive forgiveness of their sin and obtain peace. In addition there are words in Scripture used to express the idea of atonement or throw special light on it's meaning. Reconciliation, propitiation, ransom and redemption. These words teach that Christ died to effect reconciliation between God and man. He died to propitiate the divine favor of God. The scripture teaches that Christ's death was indispensable and that his atoning death exhibited the holy wrath of God against sin, while at the same time it shows God's love for lost man.

The scriptures also reveal the atonement to us as an accomplished and completed fact. Hebrews 9:13-26.

"For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"

And for this cause he is the mediator of the New Testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth."

For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hysop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people."

Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry."

And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

It was therefore necessary that patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these,

For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entered into the holy place every year with the blood of others;

For then must he often have suffered since the foundations of the world: but now one in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself."

Thank God for the atonement. This gracious divine purpose was inwrought with the creation of man. Redemption was in the plan and thought of God, from before the foundation of the world, so that man falling fell into the arms of divine mercy. In fact, Christ was the Lamb of God, "slain from the foundation of the world."

"Things that once were wild alarms
Cannot now disturb my rest;
Closed in everlasting arms,
Pillowed on the loving breast.
Oh to lie forever here,
Doubt and care and self resign,
While He whispers in my ear --
I am His, and He is mine.

His forever, only His;
Who the Lord and me shall part?
Ah, with what a rest of bliss
Christ can fill the loving heart!
Heaven and earth may fade and flee;
First-born light in gloom decline;
But, while God and I shall be,
I am His, and He is mine."
--Wade Robinson

Romans 5:15: "But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many."

For if through the offence of one many be dead refers to the twelfth verse that reads; "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." From the reading of this verse it is evident, that all mankind, stood in need of the grace of God in Christ to redeem them from their sins. In searching the Word, we find this grace was offered and is yet offered to all mankind. Adam's one transgression, subjected him and his posterity to death, without hope of revival. If you study the second and third chapters of Genesis carefully, you will find two very important results caused by the fall of man. Note Genesis 2:17: "But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eateth thereof thou shalt surely die." From the moment that Adam failed he became mortal that is, he was subject to death. Genesis 3:19 reads: "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return."

"Of the tree of knowledge thou shalt not eat." This was the first positive precept given to man. It was given not only to test his obedience to God, but also, to test his dependence on God. Now Adam was lord over the earth, all of God's creation, but he should have known that he was only God's servant, or caretaker.

When a man loses sight of this dependence and responsibility toward his maker, he loses sight of his origin and purpose. God is sovereign and has the right to give commands to his creatures. An intelligent being, without any law to regulate his life is absurd. God gave man all kinds of fruit but he withheld one fruit and since he was sovereign he was the creator and the man the creature; did he not have the right?

Now it is easy to see that Adam was the head of a creation, he was lord of the earth, but this creation was flesh. In origin he was of the earth, earthy. This first Adam was made a living soul (Genesis 2:7) that is he derived his life from another. When he failed he subjected all his posterity, the old creation, of which he was head, to death. This is the reason that God calls for a new creation, a new birth. The first Adam was a contrasting type of Christ. I Cor. 15:45-46: "And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual." The last Adam was a quickening spirit. He was not only the very foundation of life, but he gave life to others.

John 5:21: "For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will."

John 10:10: "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."

The second Adam was not of the earth, but he was the Lord from heaven, a quickening spirit, our Saviour, the Christ. He is the head and the author of the new creation of life, which is destined for glory. "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the spirit is spirit." "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Paul declares that Christ was the author of eternal salvation. Hebrews 5:9. He further declares in Hebrews 12:2, that he was the author and the finisher of our faith; that for the joy that was set before him, he endured the cross.

The old creation is earth minded. The natural, or Adamic man, unrenewed through the new birth is concerned about this world. When Adam was placed in the garden, he had a life of ease and comfort and he had fellowship with God. When he failed, his whole life was changed, and oh, what a change! He was driven from the garden, the ground was cursed, and caused to bring forth thorns and thistles. It no longer brought forth on it's own, but man had to dig his living out of a reluctant earth by the sweat of his face and finally, return to it himself. This condition had somehow tied man to the earth, this world, the natural physical things of life. The old creation has been in the business of tearing down his barns and building greater ones for a long time. Man seeks more and more of this world's goods and all the time there is a conscience within him that life does not consist of the abundance of this world's goods and pleasures. Man may build houses, plant vineyards, gardens and orchards, surround himself with servants, musicians and peculiar treasures of the earth; also he may get great possessions of earth, silver and gold and withhold no pleasure from his eye and heart; but in the end, it will be vanity and vexation; because he has not the love of God in his heart.

But the new creation is not earth minded, not so wrapped up in the natural things or material things. They are spiritually minded. Born from above, they are heavenly in origin. Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth forever. Being born again, we have a new concept of life. We know now that we are strangers and pilgrims here. Like father Abraham, we seek a city whose builder and maker is God. We are the new creation; we belong to the household of God. We were dead in trespasses and sin but we have been quickened by the spirit. In fact we were quickened together with Christ and raised up together with him to sit together in heavenly places in Christ. We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus.

Now let's consider another result of Adam's sin. by his transgression, fellowship with God was broken. In Genesis 3:8 we read: "And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden." The thought here is, they heard the voice of God as they walked in the garden, in the evening time. They had enjoyed the fellowship with God, so they were not surprised to hear his voice, they knew the voice, but hid themselves because they were ashamed. They knew that Satan had deceived them and they were exposed to the death from which Satan had promised them exemption. Shame and fear were the first results of sin, and this is the result of sin to this very day. This fellowship with God was broken.

Their eyes were opened according to Genesis 3:7 but their minds were clouded and their judgement confused. If you read Genesis 2:25 you will find that they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. Now they were ashamed and confused. They sewed some fig leaves together and made themselves aprons, and then they hid themselves among the trees. Man seldom acts with sound judgment and descretion when caught in wrong doing. All descendants of this first couple resemble their degenerate ancestors and follow their pattern. They seek knowledge by unlawful means even when lawful means are within their reach. They ever seek to hide their sins by any means and always to blame another for their mistake. They seek to live independent of and without God. Prayer, the language of dependence, they refuse, and even scorn. These indisputable proofs and evidences of the fallen state of man, have continued uninterrupted to this present day. I ask you, do we need further proof?

WHAT IS PRAYER?

Prayer is the soul's sincere desire,
Unuttered or expressed,
The motion of a hidden fire
That trembles in the breast:

Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
The falling of a tear,
The upward gleaming of an eye,
When none but god is near.

Prayer is the simplest form of speech
That infant lips can try;
Prayer, the sublimest strains that reach
The Majesty on high:

Prayer is the Christian's vital breath,
The Christian's native air,
His watch-word at the gates of death,
He enters heaven by prayer.

Prayer is the contrite sinner's voice,
Returning from his ways,
While angels in their songs rejoice,
And say, Behold he prays!

The saints in prayer appear as one,
In word, in deed, in mind,
When with the Father and the Son
Their fellowship they find.

Nor prayer is made on earth alone:
The Holy Spirit pleads;
And Jesus, on th' eternal throne,
For sinners intercedes.

"O Thou, by whom we come to God!
The Life, the Truth, the Way,
The path of prayer thyself has trod,
Lord, teach us how to pray!"
--Montgomery

Genesis 3:21: "Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skin, and clothed them." Oh marvelous love and grace of our God. These skins had to come from slain animals and they were divinely provided by the Lord himself to cover Adam and his wife, that they might be fit for the presence of God. The ravages of disease had not yet hit the animal kingdom and so it is reasonable to believe this was the first death in the world. This is as it should be that Satan and sin could claim no victory, when the first death was an emblem and type of that death that would conquer Satan and destroy his empire. The death, that would convert fallen man, and reconcile him to God.

These innocent animals lost their lives, in order for the first two people to have a covering for their sin and fellowship with God restored. God set a pattern, he established the law of the Blood, without which, there is no covering for sin. This scarlet thread reaches all the way down through the law and the prophets and comes to rest at the cross where Christ, God's Son gave his life a ransom for all Adam's lost race. The blood of Christ is an essential element of our salvation. Man must believe in the atonement at Calvary.

Romans 5:12: "Wherefore as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." Now let's read again the 15th verse which heads this third chapter. But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. "For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus christ, hath abounded to many." The consequences of Adam's transgressions extend to all mankind and so the consequence of Christ's obedience extend to all mankind, but they do not just barely meet the need. The grace of God in the gospel abounds beyond the mere reversing of the suffering and the curse of sin. There is a surplus of blessing that more than covers the loss. Adam's transgression drew us down to death and ruin. It's grace that restores all men to life and resurrection, and, over and above this, has provided the indwelling Holy Spirit to comfort and strengthen. We have an abundant entrance into the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The grace of our Lord is exceeding abundant.

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost:

That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." Titus 3:5-7.

It is evident that fallen man, as the scriptures describe him, would have no righteousness to plead, and if saved at all, it would have to be by God's mercy and grace. Remember the covering provided for Adam in the garden, was provided by God alone. It was all God's work and his alone. All Adam had to do was accept God's divine provision. All we have to do is accept God's provision. Ephesians 2: 8-9: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."

"Not of works, lest any man should boast." This salvation is not of yourself, it is of God and God alone, so that man has nothing in which to boast. He has not contributed one thing toward his salvation. Man was dead in trespasses and sins, when God found him.

Now the scripture is plain on the origin of sin and death. It came about by the fall of Adam. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered the world, for that all have sinned. Note all have sinned, our first work is sin. It's evident very early in life that the seeds of dissolution, mortality and moral evil are within us. We are born in sin.

Mercy, grace and salvation came also by one man, the man Christ Jesus. He is the way, the truth and the light. He is the door and if you ever enter heaven's portals, you will enter by him. The purpose of the incarnation, was to accomplish the great work of redemption. To him every knee must bow and every tongue confess. If we do it now, we can have his mercy and blessing.

Romans 5:17: "For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ."

Now let's consider the 16th verse first. "And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgement was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification." The sentence of death was pronounced upon Adam and he was driven from the garden. This is the judicial act of God. His expulsion from paradise took its rise from the one offence and terminated in condemnation. The free gift of God in Christ takes its rise from the many offences, which man down through the ages has personally committed. The purpose of this grace is to justify them freely and bring them into eternal life. Judgement came by one to condemnation. It was the judicial act of God that decreed death for the broken law in the garden. Adam's act brought condemnation upon all his posterity. The free gift of life or justification came by one. We have been justified freely by his grace.

"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." Much more -- abundant grace. Grace has been defined as God's unmerited favor to man. Somehow this seems to fall short of the true meaning of the word. God's grace is not only offered to the unbeliever but it extends to those that hate and despise God.

Many people do not understand this great doctrine. Legal teachers have leveled many charges against it. I am so thankful that God has revealed this wonderful truth to my heart and I have spent many years teaching it. A God given revelation of this subject will take the ego out of a man's heart. Many times God speaks to us, or reveals a truth but we do not take the time to trace it through the word. Study to show ourselves approved unto God, workmen that will not be ashamed, being able to rightly divide the word of truth. Grace, leaves us no glory in which to revel, but it gives all the glory to God.

Grace is not just a New Testament word, it's not a subject that surfaced or came to light during the church age. It's not just one of the Gospel teachings; it is the very foundation of the Gospel and the very heart of all the epistles to the church. Indeed, it finds its strongest support in the Old Testament, excelled only at Calvary.

To look at this, much more, abundant grace, let's go to the book of Genesis, the fourth chapter and read the first five verses.

"And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bore Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord.

And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of the sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord.

And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect to Abel and his offering:

But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell."

Now in the third chapter of Genesis we read where the Lord God made coats of skins and clothed Adam and his wife, after he found them naked in the garden. We discussed this earlier in this book but keep in mind this was God's covering for sin. Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin. In type, this pointed to the death of Christ.

Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground, to the Lord. It was a gratitude offering, by which he testified his belief in God as the dispenser of all secular blessings. It was the fruits of the ground, the result of his own labor. He gave God a thank-offering, and expected God to receive it, but he himself, had refused God's Son offering. That is, he had omitted the blood sacrifice, which pointed to the Son. He was not ignorant of God's plan, but willful in his neglect. He had no shame and no remorse. The way of the cross is despised but it leads home.

Now notice that fourth verse. "And Abel, he also brought of his flock and of the fat thereof." That little word "also", tells us something. Abel brought a gratitude offering, an offering of thanksgiving to the Lord. However he did not fail to bring a sacrifice. He brought of the first-born of his flock, it was by this alone that he acknowledged himself a sinner, and professed faith in the promised Redeemer. He was blessed of God and had a right to bring a thank-offering; God would receive it because Abel had accepted God's Son offering. God did have respect to Abel and to his offering. Accept God's Son, let Christ come into your heart and your thanks to him will not be empty words.

Hebrews 11:4: "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh." That is preached to all mankind the necessity of the atonement. He obtained witness that he was righteous. Paul teaches, with the heart man believeth unto righteousness. Abel believed in the atonement, proved it by bringing a blood sacrifice. God gave witness, by accepting his offerings or as the scripture reads; "He had respect to Abel and his offering."

In Genesis 4:4 we note that Abel brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. There are many things mentioned in the word that seem to be of little or no importance to us at the first reading. Many of these things will fall into place after much study, because after all nothing is put in the word merely to fill up space. Since God is the dispenser of all temporal as well as spiritual blessings, he has the right to require that such of them be dedicated to his service as he deems proper. This he did, not that he needed anything, but to show the perfection of his nature and to point out the purity of himself. Had he condescended to allow the poorest of animals and the poorest parts of the animals to be offered, what opinion would the worshipper have had of his perfection? It was necessary that all be as perfect as circumstance could afford. Remember all speaks of Christ. It's very significant that the word mentions Abel offering the fat. The fat is mentioned several times in the book of Leviticus and in Leviticus 3:23 we are informed that all fat belongs to the Lord. The fat speaks of the inner devotion of Christs' heart. It was totally consumed and expresses Christs' complete dedication to his father's will. The fat was completely consumed by the fire and points to the fact that Christ gave his all. Abel offered the fat long before Moses gave the command in Leviticus. God must have instructed Adam, concerning sacrifice when he clothed Adam in the garden. Abel received his information from Adam.

Now let's consider a few scriptures on the blood. We are told in Leviticus that the life of the flesh is in the blood. The children of Israel were forbidden to eat the blood of any animal; that if they did so they would be cut off.

Leviticus 17:11: "For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul."

For the life of the flesh is in the blood is a most important and remarkable truth. This has been proved by many indisputable facts, but remember it has been in the Mosiac writing for thousands of years.

God's law against eating the blood is very conclusive. By transgression man forfeited his life to divine justice but God in grace and mercy provided a substitute for the sinner's life. The life of a beast was appointed and accepted by God as a substitute for the sinner's life. Since the blood is the grand principle of life; the blood had to be poured out upon the altar; thus the life of the beast became the substitute for the life of the man.

All this pointed to Christ. The value of the life is the measure of the value of the blood. Herein we see the value of the blood of Christ. It is his blood applied to our hearts by faith, that saves us. Christ died for us and redemption is everywhere attributed to his shed blood. It was not the blood in the veins of the victim that was efficacious but the blood poured out. Christ did not spill his blood, this would denote accident. Christ shed his blood by divine appointment.

Genesis 4:6: "And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?

4:7: "If thou doest well, shall thou not be accepted? and if thou doeth not well, sin lieth at the door."

Cain, if you do that which is right, shall you not be accepted? Will God reject the sincere heart? But if you reject that which is right, will hatred and indignation against your righteous brother save you? On the contrary, have recourse to God for mercy; a sin offering lieth at the door. In the Hebrew the same word is translated sin and sin offering. This emphasizes the complete identification of the believer's sin with his sin offering. Sin lieth at the door but a sin offering croucheth at the tent door. Sin was there but grace did much more abound. Cain, your case is not desperate, it's not hopeless, even now, God will accept your sacrifice. Oh" what marvelous grace!

"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Christ Jesus." Let's take a good look at this word righteousness. Romans 3:19: "Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God."

By this verse we see the whole world stands convicted before God. Man is described as being full of cursing and bitterness - feet swift to shed blood - deceit and destruction - misery - no peace and no fear of God. There is not one article in this chapter, charged against the Jews and the Gentiles that may not be found to be justified by the histories of both. Millions of lives lost on the battle fields - other millions crippled physically and mentally. Widows and orphans left to deplore the loss of husbands and parents. hunger and starvation have taken an untold number. This is the human suffering to say nothing of the waste of the world's resources.

Romans 3:20: "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." The law ascertains what sin is; shows how far man has deviated from its righteous demands. By the law and only by the law, can we have a right concept of sin. By a straight edge we find the straightness or crookedness of a line and by law we see the moral failure of man.

Romans 3:21-22: "But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference."

The righteousness of Christ is put to the believer's account the moment he believes in Christ. God demands a perfect righteousness, and Christ provided it; he is our righteousness. This is grace. Salvation is of God.

Romans 4:1-8: "What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?

For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God,

For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness,

But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,

Saying Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

We are righteous because He is righteous. This righteousness of God is not the changed character of the believer. It is Christ himself who met in our stead every demand of the law, and by the act of God, is made unto us righteousness. This is God's judicial act. Thank God, we stand in his presence clothed with the righteousness of his dear Son. Romans 10:4.

II Corinthians 5:21: "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."

If righteousness came by the law, then Christ died in vain. We have received the spirit by the hearing of faith and not by the works of the law. Abraham was counted righteous because of his faith and we are the children of Abraham if we have like precious faith. We are blessed with faithful Abraham. Cursed is everyone that continueth not in all things which are written in the law. The law condemned us but Christ died for us. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us.

"I am not told to labor,
To put away my sin;
So foolish, weak, and helpless,
I never could begin.
But blessed truth - I know it!
Though ruined by the fall,
Christ for my soul hath suffered,
Yes, Christ has done it all.

And if I now would seek Him,
In love He sought for me,
When far from Him I wandered
In sin and misery;
He opened my ears and gave me
To listen to His call;
He sought me and He found me -
Yes, Christ has done it all." --Eversfield

Romans 5:20: "Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound." Now before we get into this key verse for the chapter, we must go back to verse 18: "Therefore as by the offence of one judgement came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life." In other words, by one sin, all men came into condemnation: also by the righteous act of one, all men came into justification of life. The one act that condemned the old creation to death was explained earlier in this book and needs no further attention. However, the clause, by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life, needs careful consideration. There are those that say, this verse teaches all men will be saved. This is far from the truth. Christ died for all, but all have not accepted Christ. To accept Christ you must admit your need of a Saviour and this is an admission of sin and guilt.

A sentence of condemnation to death, without any hope of a resurrection to life, passed upon all men, because of Adam's transgression. There is a new creation life because of Christ's obedience to death, available to all Adam's lost race. Justice must have it's due, so death is passed upon all men. Grace and mercy will have their due too; and therefore salvation is available to all men.

Romans 10:8-10: "But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in they mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith which we preach;

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

Because of sin, or because of the offence, judgement came upon all men and we were condemned. This shows the power and awful guilt of sin. Yet men laugh at sin and make a mockery of wrong-doing. Filthy and vile conversation is acceptable in nearly all society. Nothing is sacred or pure and rarely do you see anyone blush these days. The ungodly know no shame. Remember, the wages of sin is death.

Thank God for the free gift mentioned in the last clause of the 18th verse. The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. A man may merit hell, but he cannot merit heaven. The scripture does not say that the wages of righteousness is eternal life. No, but eternal life is the gift of God. The apostle Paul teaches us that righteousness, even the righteousness of Christ is put to our account, when we come to God. A sinner goes to hell because he deserves it but a righteous man goes to heaven because Christ died for him and pardoned his sin, because of his faith. There is misery and disorder in the bosom of every unbeliever. All is confusion and disorder where God does not dwell. Sin and evil passions of man increases the disorder. Man seems bent on preparing for eternal perdition.

Praise God, there is now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus. We are justified by faith and have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Peace is the first fruit of our salvation. You cannot have the peace of God until you make peace with God.

Because of one man's disobedience many were made sinners. Most all that profess to believe the Bible will agree that all mankind came under the empire of death because of this sin. As no one can account for death brought into the world only on the grounds of this first sin, so no one can account for the moral degeneracy on any other grounds. Into this state we are fallen according to divine revelation. Need we further proof than the mortality of all men? Death is a fact that none can deny. We accept it and if it is not close to us, a friend or close relative, we think nothing of it. The seeds of moral evil do not come from God, for He is pure and holy. Our first work is sin and the tendency for wrong-doing, evil and corruption come from the same source that death comes from, the primitive sin. It's hopeless to deny the doctrine of original sin.

Why permit this general infection of sin in the world? Why should the innocent suffer with the guilty? God could have rendered Adam incapable of sin, but he would not have been a free intelligent human being. He could have destroyed that first pair and started over again with a new race. But Adam had to be tested, that is, put in a position to be obedient to God or act from himself, independent of God. He took it upon himself to be independent and disregard God's command. This was his sin. Any other created being must necessarily have the same test. God instead, introduced an antidote to the poison of sin. God has provided a Saviour in Christ, the merit of his passion and death far exceeds the demerit of Adam's transgression.

Moreover, the law entered, that the offence might abound. by the law, we mean the Mosaic law. The rites and ceremonies of the law were confined to the Jewish people, and that only until the Messiah came. These rites and ceremonies should have had an enlightening effect upon the Jewish people. Considered as the moral law, or as a rule of conscience and life, the spirit has slipped it in or introduced it into every conscience, that sin might abound. By this method only, can man recognize the nature of sin. The greater acts of wrong-doing are easily detected but the minute points of sin come to light only when the law is applied. Man may draw a fairly straight line without a straight-edge or instrument but if he wants perfections, wants all the defects removed, he must use a straight-edge. All the deviations are brought to light, by God's holy law. Without the rule of right, man would only know sin in a general way. Only by knowledge of the nature of sin and the eternal damnation it will bring, will man be prepared to accept the Gospel. The law uncovers the natural man and exposes his sin. The law will show the true nature of sin because God ordained it so. God wisely ordained that the law come first, that sin may abound, that man may despair of salvation, other than through the Gospel. The law came by Moses, but grace and truth came through Christ. Seeing the curse of the law hanging over him, man will flee for refuge.

Galatians 3: 13-14: "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree:

That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."

Years I spent in vanity and pride,
Caring not my Lord was crucified
Knowing not it was for me He died on Calvary.
By God's word at last my sin I learned;
Then I trembled at the law I'd spurned,
Till my guilty soul imploring turned to Calvary.
Now I've given to Jesus everything,
Now I gladly own Him as my King,
Now my raptured soul can only sing of Calvary.
Oh, the love that drew salvation's plan!
Oh, the grace that bro't it down to man!
Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span at Calvary! -- Wm. R. Newell

Galatians 3:19: "Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, til the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator."

Galatians 3:24-26: "Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. The law discovered and uncovered us but God's grace did abound." Not only does God's grace offer pardon for all the transgressions for which the soul is condemned to death by the law, but the Spirit of God comes in to prepare the soul for a more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. The grace of God, through the Gospel not only redeems from death and restores to life, but brings man into a relationship with God, as we have no authority to believe would have been his portion, even had Adam retained his innocence. Our participation with Christ in eternal glory makes us to see, where sin abounded, Grace did much more abound.

Romans 5:21: "That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord."

Sin hath reigned unto death, that is, subjected all mankind to death, temporal of the body, spiritual of the soul and eternal of both. But grace reigns through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. Salvation from sin is an extensive and as complete as the contamination of sin. Death is conquered, hell disappointed, Satan confounded and sin totally destroyed.

To him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and has made us kings and priests to God and his Father, be glory and dominion, for ever and ever amen. Hallelujah! The Lord God omnipotent reigneth!

From the fifth chapter of Romans we have learned many things. We find that we are justified by faith and in no other way. By acknowledging our sin and guilt and accepting God's gift we can be saved. The moment we truly let Christ come into our hearts, we find a peace that we have never known before. Christ, the peaceful one has accomplished this by the blood of his cross. By faith, through Christ we have access to all the grace we need, for whatever trial we may encounter. We have our heartaches, trials and disappointments, like all other, but we find our refuge in him and great consolation in his promises. We are not ashamed of our hope, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy ghost. The spirit is given to lead and guide us all through life. It is the spirit that calls to our memory, how God has always led and cared for his children. God so commended his love toward us that we could not refuse him entrance, when he knocked at our heart's door. We found that we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son and saved by his life. All freely given to us who believe, by our loving, gracious Lord. Not only saved from eternal perdition, but filled with the joy of the Lord, so that we can glory in tribulation, knowing that trials bring other great benefits. We traced sin from its inception, down through the origin of man and were treated to an awful picture of the ruin and damnation it brings to all men, when finished. Our hearts were made to rejoice when we found that Jesus bore our curse on Calvary; that he paid the full price that the holy law of God demanded for sin. But this is not all we received through Christ's death and God's grace; we also received the righteousness of Christ. His perfect righteousness was put to our account or reckoned to us. God's word teaches this, but we will never know the joy or the full impact of its meaning, until we reckon with God. God counts it so and if you want a real revelation of God's mercy and grace, count with God. It's true that many were made sinners by the fall in the garden; but many have been made righteous because of the obedience of Christ. Not by any works of our own have we been made righteous; we were counted righteous because of our faith. By grace, through faith and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God. God demands faith and God provides the faith. We found that the law offered no solution to our problem. Our problem was sin and the law only magnified sin. It brought the seeds of moral decay and corruption in our lives to light, that is, the law made them abound. Through the Gospel of Grace we were pardoned for our sins; and oh, how gladly we accepted. Now we have entered into the marvelous rest of God. We have ceased from our own work as God did from his. We rest in the finished work at calvary. Moses displeased God when he smote the rock the second time; he had been told to speak to the rock only. Friend, if you have been cleansed by the blood of Christ, through faith, don't crucify him afresh. Speak to the rock. We have but one cleansing by the blood, that saves us eternally. We need daily cleansing from the defilement of sin and that is done by washing of the word. Christ hath obtained eternal redemption for us. Our conclusion is, regardless of the loss through the first Adam, we have gained far more through the second Adam, who is the Lord from glory. Let's be of the same persuasion as the apostle Paul.

Romans 8:38-39: "For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

The confidence expressed is as rational as it is bold. As natural and forceful as it is legitimate. The church is permanent and cannot be shaken. This persuasion is both elegant and sublime. It stands on solid principles of the Gospel. It breathes the true spirit of Christianity. Without this grand finale - the new birth means nothing.

I pray that this book will be a blessing to all who read it. If you have the revelation of this truth, please make a copy available to someone who needs it. Those who are not convinced, won't you read it again, prayerfully and carefully, with your Bible in hand? It has been a joy to write it, because of the urgency of the Spirit. It is in the spirit of the Lord that I offer it to you.

Permission to reprint received from Jewel Ballard.
Please forgive any typing errors. They are a result of this typist and not in the original pieces of work.

Visit An Affiliate Site for More Clip Art:
ABKL Designs
Find clip art of animals, buildings, cactus, cats, children, Christmas, computers, cookies, dogs, fall, famous skylines, food and beverages, graduation, grapes, Hanukkah, hats, holidays, homes, hummingbirds, industrial complexes, Kwanzaa, mice, military helicopters, military personnel, military vehicles, Oktoberfest, penguins, people, pet responsibility, pride graphics, Red Hat Society clip art, school, summer, sunflowers, Thanksgiving, trains, vegetables, wine, and much, much more.

Everything You Ever Wanted in Clip Art!
The complete list of clip art on the combined sites of two cousins (Clipart Mountain and ABKL Designs) that includes all the clip art: animals, people, houses and buildings, cactus, computers, cultural clip art, food graphics, hobby images, dance, military, music, religious clip art, sports images, holiday clip art, medical clip art links, photos, education, school, books, doctors, trains, seasons, nurses, garden, flowers, fantasy, awards, pride ribbons and everything else you might want in clip art.

Resource Center
All Holidays Events, Occasions	Autism	Books Online	Christian	Christmas At Our House
Clip Art Of Everything	Missing Children	Newspapers	Public Domain Clip Art	Strands of Tangled Web