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     For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. If, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. Rom. 5:15-17
     Most holy and gracious Father, today my heart is filled with praise for the hyper-abundance of grace which you’ve given us in your Son, Jesus. Through the failure of the first Adam, we were born spiritually dead—willing subjects, coconspirators, members in good standing in the reign of sin and death. But now, through the work of the second Adam, Jesus, we’ve been made alive and now live as objects of your affection and subjects in Jesus’ kingdom—the reign of righteousness, peace, and joy—the reign of grace.
     As dead as we were in our sins and trespasses, we are much, much more alive in Jesus’ forgiveness and righteousness. As distant and disconnected as we were from you because of Adam’s sin and our own sin, we are much, much more at peace and intimate with you through the perfect work of Jesus on our behalf. As narcissistic and navel-gazing as we were through our connection to the first Adam, we are becoming much, much more other-centered, loving, and caring through our union with Jesus.
     Most generous and loving Father, we’re simply unable to offer you the praise congruent with the multiplied love and gifts you have lavished upon us. You didn’t spare your own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will you not also, along with Jesus, graciously give us all things? You’ve justified us, and there is now no condemnation hanging over us; and in the absence of condemnation there is now full acceptance, delight and peace, all because of Jesus’ perfect and completed work.
     Indeed, Lord Jesus, you lived in our place and your died in our place, and now you perpetually live to pray for us and advocate for us. Nothing will ever separate us from your love (Rom. 8:31-35)! One Day we will be as lovely and loving as you (1 Jn. 3:1-3). What a hope, what a living and liberating hope! As grave and great as our condition was through sin and death, the “how much more” of the gospel has trumped it a million times over! So very Amen we pray, with astonishment, wonder, and gratitude, in your great and gracious name.

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