I love it when a reader ask a thought-provoking question in an email.
The other day, "Greg" sent this pithy contribution to my inbox.
"I am a staunch conservative and Christian, and I enjoy and appreciate WND's reporting of the news. But, I have to ask, is there anything GOOD happening that you might report on? Every day it seems like we're one step closer to a police state or LGBTs taking over the country. The Bible says that where sin increases, grace superabounds. So in the midst of the darkness, please throw in some rays of light that glorify God and the finished work of His Son. … it can't all be bad!"
Now there's a challenge!
First, in my defense, I often chide our editorial team with just such suggestions: "Where's the good news? When you find it, use it."
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But, alas, I was a reporter for a long time and know that's easier said than done. Few sources contact you when everything's coming up rosy. In fact, they don't even think about news organizations at times like that.
They think of us when disaster strikes.
But what about the premise underlying the question? Here's what the Bible actually says about the relationship between sin and grace: "Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. …" (Romans 5:20)
There's one missing element in the actual text that "Greg" overlooked: When the law entered, it wasn't with the intention of increasing sin. It was with the intention of convicting people of their sin. The law is the schoolmaster, we're told in Galatians 3:24. The definition of sin is the transgression of the law. (1 John 3:4)
Does grace abound amid sin? Or does it abound amid repentance? Grace isn't cheap. It requires a sincere turning away from sin, right? I am confident that God has more than enough grace to cover every sinner who repents. But He doesn't dispense that abundance without a change of heart and demonstrative actions.
I think that's what Paul's message to the Romans – and all of us – was.
There is more than enough grace in the Kingdom of Heaven to bless every sinner who turns away from the transgression of the law.
So, do we see that in our world today? Yes and no.
Some research suggests there are more people worldwide turning to God than ever before in history. That would suggest there is an abundance of grace. But is that true in America today, from where WND primarily reports? I don't see a lot of evidence to suggest that is the case.
And, there is a corollary to what Paul says in Romans: Where repentance is short, the days grow darker. Those words don't appear in the Bible. I just coined that phrase now. But I think that's one of the central messages of Scripture.
These are indeed dark days in America as the hearts of men grow colder and harder.
Nevertheless, we all need good news now and then.
And the good news is that Jesus is coming back soon. I know people have believed that for nearly 2,000 years. But He gave us the signs of His coming, and they are everywhere for His people to see.
That's the really good news.
But there is other good news, too, as His people – however small that remnant might be – stand in opposition to the ways of the world, no matter how much pressure is applied to conform. It's also good news when His people look inward, at themselves, and repent for their own sins rather than cast stones at all those other sinners out there.
That's the basis for God's prescription, as I call it, for grace to "superabound." As I am fond of pointing out, that prescription is found nowhere in the Bible more eloquently pronounced than in 2 Chronicles 7:14: "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
Now that is really good news.
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