Dear Ones:
It has been said that in the contrast of things, there is great refreshment. Perhaps no where in Scripture do we see in so few words the eternal perspective of God concerning sin and death, righteousness and life, than in the fifth chapter of Romans when Paul uses the two words, “…much more,” several times. What a contrast, and what a refreshing revelation…and what a call to believe God for His highest and best.
The first mention of the words “much more,” is found in verse 9: “Much more then, being NOW justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” Look at the contrast, and consider that the magnitude of the blessing far exceeds the destructiveness of sin. “Justified by His blood,” rises above every consideration and implication of the “wrath of God” as it applies to sin, and this exceedingly. This is important for us to grasp, for if we would appropriate this “full salvation” to which we are called, then our vision of Christ’s work must rise above the consideration of the sin and death of this world, to the heights and magnitude of the goodness and glory of God.
The second mention of “much more” is found in verse 10: “…much more being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” Again, what a contrast! The context is us being “enemies” of God, and yet becoming reconciled with God. Enemies…reconciled…MUCH MORE…saved by His life. How MUCH does God desire to reveal in us the greatness of His salvation?
The third mention of “much more” is found in verse 15: “…For if through the offence of one many be dead, MUCH MORE the grace of God and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath ABOUNDED unto many.” Again, the contrast is extraordinary. On the one hand we are faced with death, the result of Adam’s sin, and then Life, this “gift of grace,” because of the obedience and sacrifice of Christ, which hath abounded unto many. Please note the word “abounded.” According to Christ’s own words, He came that we might have life, and that we might have it more abundantly. (Jn. 10:10) Can we trust Him for His fulness?
In two other verses we find mention of the “much more.” In verse 17, we read that the “much more” pertains to receiving “…abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness,” and then reigning in life as a result. In verse 20, we read, “…where sin abounded, grace did MUCH MORE abound.” Again, we come face to face with the immeasurable contrast between life and death, wrath and grace. All that pertains to the work of Christ is characterized by “MUCH MORE,” not only in the incalculable and perfectly complete work of Christ on the cross, but the work by the Holy Spirit in us.
Dear Father, open our eyes to see and grasp the enormity of Christ’s work on the cross, and how the magnitude of it just swallows up all that is not of Thee. And grant to us to grasp Thy hand of grace, and the gift of Grace in Christ by the Spirit, that we might live in the abundance of Thy life, reigning in life, and giving Christ’s life by the Spirit to others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Love, Dad