But where sin increased, grace increased all the more. (Romans 5:20, NIV 1984).
My Musings – The days are growing increasingly evil with each passing day. Just when we think our sense of propriety cannot be shocked any more than it has been already, something more shocking to our senses comes along.
Surely, God’s wrath and judgement are upon us. “That day will be a day of wrath, a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness.” (Zephaniah 1:15, NIV 1984). Surely, His patience must be wearing thin. As it was in the days of Noah, surely, “[His]Spirit will not contend with man forever.” (Genesis 6:3, NIV 1984). It won’t. “But [when] sin [increases], grace [increases] all the more.“
How do we know this? “After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. ‘Who are they, and where did they come from? These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.'” (Revelation 7:9, 13-14, NIV 1984).
“After this.” After what? “The great day of their wrath.” (Revelation 6:17, NIV 1984). Whose wrath? “Him who sits on the throne [God] and from the wrath of the Lamb [Jesus]!” (Revelation 6:16, NIV 1984). The next time that “His Spirit” decides that He will no longer “contend with man.” The next time that they [Father, Son and Holy Ghost] look around and see “how great man’s wickedness on the earth [has] become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time.” (Genesis 6:5, NIV 1984).
Still, “where sin [increases], grace [increases] all the more. (Romans 5:20, NIV 1984). Increases more than when “every inclination of the thoughts is [man’s] heart [is] only evil all the time.” Increases to include “a great multitude that no one could count.” Amazing grace? Unimaginable grace!
My Advice – The time of “their wrath” may be at hand. But if we have not partaken of “their grace” now, there is no assurance that we will stand among that “great multitude.” There is no assurance that we will even live long enough to see that day. So, what shall we do? “As God’s fellow worker…I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:1-2, NIV 1984).
Don’t know how? Read my “The Born Again Experience” musings. They will show you how. But don’t delay. Because He will not always “contend with [us].” So, “seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.” (Isaiah 55:6, NIV 1984). He won’t always be near. A time will come when He may not be found.
The Brew Is A Musing 