"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, 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: Pope St. John Paul II was born in Poland, came of age under communism, and attended an underground seminary. Little did he know that he would be the first non-Italian pope in 455 years. He visited 129 countries as pope and urged the world to "Open wide the doors to Christ."
Reference: (To live in grace, read the Bible daily. For encouragement, order, listen to, or download any or all of the following CDs or DVDs on our website: Ignorance of Scriptures is Ignorance of Christ, CD 82-1, DVD 82; How to Pray the Bible, CD 82-3, DVD 82; How to Read the Bible, CD 46-3, DVD 46; Principles of Bible Interpretation, CD 79-1, DVD 79.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 11, 2019
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