"amazing grace"
"Despite the increase of sin, grace has far surpassed it." —Romans 5:20
Most people believe that sin is increasing. Look at abortion, racism, ethnic cleansings, promiscuity, violence, the breakdown of the family, economic injustices, Chinese communism, persecution, etc. Yet where sin increases, grace overflows "all the more."
Consequently, grace is always sufficient (2 Cor 12:9). The most evil, sinful situation is always surpassed by God's grace. No circumstance in life is ever hopeless. There is never reason to despair. There is always reason to hope. Thus, we can "rejoice in hope" (Rm 12:12), for it "will not leave us disappointed" (Rm 5:5). We can "rejoice in the Lord always" (Phil 4:4), for from His fullness we receive grace in place of grace (Jn 1:16, RNAB).
To live the life of grace, we must accept God's grace. We do this by living in faith and in good works (Eph 2:8, 10). Day after day, circumstance after circumstance, decide to trust God rather than do your own thing. Work for God and not for perishable food (Jn 6:27). Let Jesus be the Lord of every detail of your life. Then you will live in grace.
Prayer: Father, may grace come constantly to me and through me.
Promise: "Should he happen to come at midnight or before sunrise and find them prepared, it will go well with them." —Lk 12:38
Praise: Feeling weak and greatly persecuted during a terrible battle on abortion in state legislation, Maureen was amazed by God's grace when He sent a fellow legislator to her aid.
Reference: (To live in grace, read the Bible daily. For encouragement, order any or all of these audio or video tapes: Ignorance of Scriptures is Ignorance of Christ, AV 82-1, V-82. How to Pray the Bible on audio AV 82-3 or on video V-82. How to Read the Bible on audio AV 46-3 or on video V-46.)
Rescript:
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Giles H. Pater, April 24, 2003
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 28, 2003