January 03 2026

Saturday January 03

Putting Yourself in the Path of God’s Grace

Romans 5:15-21

15 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man's offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. 16 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. 17 For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

We have been talking about the spiritual disciplines and how they put us in the path of God's grace. Notice in the above verses in Romans 5: 15-21 how many times the word grace is used. I trust that today’s Pastor’s Chat will encourage you to make the choice every day to put yourself in the way of God’s grace instead of putting yourselves in the path of sin. Take a minute to read Psalm 1:1-3. The book of Psalms begins by telling us we should not be walking as the ungodly walk, sitting and standing with them, but we should be delighting in God's word. The discipline of walking in truth will put you in the path of God's grace.

In Romans 5:15–21, we find one of the great assurances of the Christian life: the grace of God within the believer is far more powerful than the power of sin that once ruled us. Grace is not merely God’s favor shown to us in the past. It is God’s life-power actively at work in us every day through Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul makes this unmistakably clear in Romans 5 as he contrasts the devastating effects of Adam’s sin with the overwhelming triumph of Christ’s grace. Sin brought death, condemnation, and bondage. Grace brings justification, righteousness, and life.

Paul repeatedly emphasizes the word grace in these verses. As you look at them again, you’ll notice that Paul says we do not merely survive. My friend, he says we reign in life. The believer who receives the abundance of grace is not dominated by sin but empowered to live victoriously through Jesus Christ. Sin may still be present, but it is no longer supreme. Grace is greater. Paul drives this point home again in Romans 5:20: “Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.”

My friend, no failure, no weakness, and no struggle ever outpaces the supply of God’s grace. Grace always outdistances sin when we are walking in the path of God’s grace. How do we put ourselves in the path of God’s grace? We do this through the spiritual disciplines God has lovingly given us:

Reading and studying God’s Word, where grace instructs, corrects, and renews our minds

Prayer, as we come boldly to the throne of grace to receive mercy and help. (Hebrews 4:16)

Worship, where grace lifts our hearts to adore the Giver.

Fellowship with other believers, where grace is shared, strengthened, and encouraged.

Giving unselfishly to God’s work, where grace flows through us to others

Obedient service, where grace empowers us to walk in good works prepared by God

These practices do not create grace—but they place us where grace freely flows.

I love what we read in 2 Corinthians 9:6–8: “He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.”

Did you notice that language? All grace. All sufficiency. All things. Every good work.

That’s how it happens. As you practice these disciplines daily, you make a deliberate choice—starting when you get out of bed in the morning—to spend time with God in His Word and in prayer.

God bless you and may you have a truly blessed and wonderful, wonderful day!