Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,

Believers, did you know that Peter who denied Jesus three times and with swearing and cursing was the first of the eleven remaining disciples (Mary was the first person) that Christ appeared to after His resurrection? See 1 Corinthians 4-5: "That He was buried, that He arose on the third day as the Scriptures foretold, 5 And [also] that He appeared to Cephas (Peter), then to the Twelve."

According to human wisdom. Peter should have been visited last or not at all because of his actions, but he was the first of the disciples that Christ appeared to. So what can we take away from this? Where sin abounds, grace super-abounds!

Romans 5:20 says: "The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more," Boasting in one's ability to do the right thing by human effort will lead to an increase in transgression according to Romans 5 above.

Peter's fear and three-time denial of Christ stemmed from his confidence in the flesh (human effort) to do right but he failed. But our Lord Jesus didn't berate or point out his sins. What sins? The ones He'd just died for? Peter was met with God's Grace (undeserved, unmerited favour) in Christ and his life never remained the same.

Where sin abounds, grace super-abounds. The same Peter who was so fearful that he denied Jesus at the provocation of a servant girl and bystanders (with swearing and cursing) stood boldly in Acts 3 to proclaim the same Jesus before a crowd of people! The bible says about three thousand people were saved on that day alone. Grace does not super-abound so that we should just continue to sin anyhow. Grace super-abounds so that we can "go and sin no more." Grace transforms believers to right living.

Believers, whatever your sins are, even fear, Jesus will never turn you away or ask you to go and make yourself right before you come to Him. He gave Himself to redeem us from EVERY lawless deed according to Titus 2:14. He will help you to overcome.

Come as you are and our Saviour will love you into wholeness. He will fill you with His Spirit and you will not remain the same.

This is Grace. It swallows up sin. It is not a license to sin as many false preachers say. Without God's grace, sin will rule, "For sin shall not have dominion over you for you are not under law but under Grace." But many in the church have this verse in reverse.

Under Law, trying to do the right thing by your own effort/keeping the Law to get right with God, no matter how "easy" it appears to be, sin will increase. I'm quite sure Peter was 100% confident that he would not deny Jesus and that he meant it when he proclaimed that he would die with Jesus, but the arm of flesh will fail.

Like Peter, under grace, having Christ as your righteousness, you will not continue to live in sin. Rather, you will "live in triumph over sin and death through the One, Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:17.) Under grace, like Peter, we GET TO produce "a harvest of good deeds for God." See Romans 5:4.

The Holy Spirit will teach you all things.

Believe Right and you will Live Right.

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