So grace might reign

But then Law came in, [only] to expand and increase the trespass [making it more apparent and exciting opposition]. But where sin increased and abounded, grace (God's unmerited favour) has surpassed it and increased the more and superabounded, So that [just] as sin has reigned in death, [so] grace (His unearned and undeserved favour) might reign also through righteousness (right standing with God) which issues in eternal life through Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) our Lord. Romans 5:20-21 AMP

Law versus Grace. Jesus is all about grace. Grace is what enables us to be in right-standing with our Heavenly Father.

I am currently reading 'The Pilgrim's progress' by John Bunyan, and came across his excellent allegory of the cleansing of sin, using the cleaning of dust. I thought I would share it with you today. 

The Dusty Parlor

Then he took him by the hand and led him into a very large parlor that was full of dust because never swept; the which after he had reviewed it a little while, the Interpreter called for a man to sweep. Now, when he began to sweep, the dust began so abundantly to fly about, that Christian had almost therewith been choked. Then said the Interpreter to a damsel that stood by:

INTERPRETER: Bring hither water, and sprinkle the room. When she had done, it was swept and cleansed with pleasure.

CHRISTIAN: What means this?

INTERPRETER: This parlor is the heart of a man that was never sanctified by the sweet grace of the Gospel. The dust is his original sin and inward corruptions that have defiled the whole man. He that began to sweep at first is the law; but she that brought water and did sprinkle it is the Gospel. 

Now whereas thou sawest that as soon as the first began to sweep, the dust did so fly about that the room could not by him be cleansed, but that thou wast almost choked therewith; this is to show thee that the law, instead of cleansing the heart (by its working) from sin, doth revive (Romans 7:9), put strength into (1 Corinthians 15:56) and increase it in the soul (Romans 5:20), even as it doth discover and forbid it, for it doth not give power to subdue.

Again, as thou sawest the damsel sprinkle the room with water, upon which it was cleansed with pleasure, this is to show thee that when the Gospel comes in the sweet and precious influences thereof to the heart, then, I say, even as thou sawest the damsel lay the dust by sprinkling the floor with water, so is sin vanquished and subdued, and the soul made clean, through the faith of it, and consequently fit for the King of glory to inhabit (John 15:3; Ephesians 5:26; Acts 15:9; Romans 16:25-26; John 15:13).

The Pilgrim's Progress, p41-43

God has given us Jesus so we can once again have right-standing with Him, our heavenly father. We don't have to struggle and strive to be perfect. Jesus is perfect. Jesus stands before God on our behalf. Jesus is our Mediator. 

You've come to Jesus, who presents us with a new covenant, a fresh charter from God. He is the Mediator of this covenant. The murder of Jesus, unlike Abel's - a homicide that cried out for vengeance - became a proclamation of grace. 

Hebrews 12:24 The Message

Question for today, have you accepted God's grace in your life? Have you invited Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Saviour, so you can experience God's amazing grace, His unmerited favour for you? If not, consider praying this prayer, (taken from The Everyday Life Bible)

Father,

You loved the world so much that You gave Your only begotten Son to die for our sins so that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.

Your word says we are saved by grace through faith as a gift from You. There is nothing we can do to earn salvation.

I believe and confess with my mouth that Jesus Christ is Your Son, the Saviour of the world. I believe He died on the cross for me and bore all of my sins, paying the price for them.

I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead and that He is alive today.

I am a sinner and I am sorry for my sins and I ask You to forgive me. By faith I receive Jesus Christ now as my Lord and Saviour. I believe that I am saved and will spend eternity with You! Thank You, Father. I am so grateful! In Jesus' name, amen.

If you have chosen to pray this prayer, congratulations, it is a decision you will never regret.

The next steps to grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ are to:

1. Get a bible and start reading it every day. I can highly recommend The Message bible (by Eugene H. Peterson) and The Everyday Life bible (by Faith Words, containing the Amplified Old Testament and the Amplified New Testament), with Notes and Commentary by Joyce Meyer).

2. Chat with Jesus Christ everyday. Remember to listen as well as talk.

3. Find a local church you can go to each week, that has Jesus teaching . It is great if they have regular small group meetings during the week too, so you can be encouraged by other Christians, and be an encourager too.