"Just As Sin Reigned In Death, So Also Grace Might Reign Through Righteousness."

 

See, grace lifts up the beggar 

from the dunghill, and makes 

him to sit among princes!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"Just as sin reigned in death, so 

also grace might reign through 

righteousness to bring eternal life 

through JESUS CHRIST our LORD." 

Romans 5:21 

The reign of sin is a gloomy 

contemplation. Permitted to 

come into this world as a usurper--

having mounted its throne upon 

the heart of man by flattering 

blandishments, and crafty 

pleasantries--

it was not long before sin 

fully developed itself. 

Its first act was to smite Eden with 

blast and mildew by its breath; 

its next act was to slay the second 

child of man and that by the hand 

of the eldest born. Since then, 

its reign has been . . .

  scarlet with blood,
  black with iniquity, and
  fraught with everything that 

can make the heart of man sad 

and wretched.

Oh sin, you tyrant monster, all 

the demons that ever sat upon 

the throne of Rome, were never 

such as you are! 

All the wicked men who have come 

forth as the scourges of man, 

the destroying angels of our race, 

though they have waded up to their 

knees in the blood of mortals--

have never been so terrible as you are.

You have reigned unto death, 

and that a death eternal--

a death which casts innumerable 

souls into an eternal grave--

a grave of fire!

Our apostle now changes the subject, 

and represents man under the gracious 

state, as rejoicing in another government 

and ruled by another King. 

Just as sin has reigned, and with 

despotic and irresistible power has 

ground his subjects in the very dust, 

and then cast them into the flames--

so does grace reign with irresistible 

goodness, constrain the chosen 

multitude to yield obedience, 

and thus prepares them 

for eternal bliss. 

See, grace lifts up the beggar 

from the dunghill, and makes 

him to sit among princes! 

Mark its shining course, and 

behold it blessing the sons of man 

wherever it stretches out its silver 

scepter, chasing away the misery 

of night, and giving the joy 

of gospel day.

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Gardiner Spring, "The Distinguishing Traits of Christian Character"
Chapter 4.  EMINENT GIFTS