The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more…

                                                                                                                   Romans 5:20 

In recent years, I’ve noticed our culture’s fascination with superhero movies. I have to admit that I have seen my fair share of them too. So why do these movies appeal to us? I believe one reason is that we like seeing the superhero defend humanity against the evil that is wreaking havoc on society. Although these movies are fictional, deep down inside we know our world is broken and that we are powerless to change the situation. We need a hero…a superhero.

Our passage today expresses what our hearts long to believe, that the suffering and brokenness of this world is redeemable, that there is something capable of reversing the course of human sinfulness. Well there is…it is God’s grace.

First, we need to establish that the purpose of the Law is not to create a viable way for us to be made right with God. Truthfully, it is quite the opposite. The Law was given so that the transgression (our sinfulness) would increase. Increase? I thought the Law was good? The Law is good because it is God’s perfect design for how we should live, however, none of us are capable of living up to that standard. And that’s where the problem and the solution begin. Sin is our problem. It is what keeps us apart from God. Satan is our spiritual enemy and he knows this all too well. He traffics in guilt, shame, condemnation, depression, despair, and ultimately spiritual destruction. When we believe that we need to become better people, we play right into his hand. The Bible reminds us of three very important things regarding the Law. (1) If we have broken any of God’s Law, we are guilty of violating the entire thing (James 2:10). God does not judge on the curve, nor does He compare your life with someone else’s. We are all equally in need of a Savior. (2) The Law was never given to make us complete (Galatians 2:21, 3:21). If it were possible for us to live a life worthy of God, then Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross would become meaningless and entirely unnecessary. When we assess our standing with God by our works, we are, perhaps unintentionally, making that declaration about Christ. (3) The Law was designed to demonstrate our need for a Savior (Galatians 3:24). Just like in the superhero movie, humanity is incapable of saving itself and is in need of God’s intervention. So the bad news (you are sinful and in need of salvation) leads you to the good news (that Jesus has accomplished your salvation apart from works).

And now for the best part…where sin increased, grace abounds all the more. To abound is to go beyond, to exceed one’s expectations. It is an overflow of abundance. It’s really hard to encapsulate this meaning with mere words. Whatever we say about abounding, it goes beyond even that. I have a passion for declaring this truth primarily because I have spent too much of my life believing (falsely) that my sin was somehow more powerful in defeating me than God’s grace is in rescuing me. I know there are others who feel the same way because I have heard the all too familiar expressions of this false belief from them. “You just don’t know the things I’ve done.” “ God couldn’t possibly forgive me for that.” “If I walk into the church, I’m afraid the walls would cave in around me.” These are all expressions of a powerful but false belief that your sin is greater than the grace of God. The enemy would love to keep you in that place but the truth is that wherever sin increases, God’s grace super abounds! Jesus came that the world might be saved through Him (John 3:17). He is the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2). His grace is capable of exceeding your expectations. His grace allows you to live in victory and assurance, and His grace is but a prayer away (Romans 10:13). Wherever sin increases, grace abounds all the more!