SEMESTER 2
124 – THE GRACE OF GOD REIGNING
BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE
COURSE: THEOLOGY II LESSON # 24
THE GRACE OF GOD REIGNING
Read Romans 5:12-21
INTRODUCTION:
Grace is a word greatly used but lightly studied. In our text, Paul personifies two great forces: grace and sin. The word reign, would teach us much about grace.
III: Two queens upon two thrones.
1. Grace is more powerful than sin, else no man could be saved. (II Tim. 2:26, Jer. 13:23)
2. Grace reigns lawfully, honoring the law by justice.
3. Grace reigns by Jesus Christ, not by our righteousness.
i. In this is its power and irresistibility.
ii. Is grace irresistible? “Yes” and “No”
4. Grace reigns in every aspect of salvation, thus, precluding human merit, planning, purchasing, proclaiming, procuring, preserving.
I. GRACE REIGNS IN FOREKNOWLEDGE (ROM. 8:29
)
1. This is the first thing God did for His people.
i. It deals with eternal love.
2. He set His affections upon them, with intention of blessing.
II. GRACE REIGNS IN ELECTION (ROM. 11:5)
1. In II Thes. 2:11-14, Paul shows what the differentiating factor is between lost and saved. Do not argue with this Scripture, hear it.
i. This passage shows why men are saved and then how.
2. Was God’s choice according to foreseen faith, or obedience? Let Scripture answer. (Rom. 11:5-6)
i. If so, salvation is not all of grace.
III. GRACE REIGNS IN PREDESTINATION (ROM. 8:29)
1. Predestination is the plan and power that determines destiny.
2. It is never unto damnation, always and only unto salvation.
3. God causes nobody to be damned, only to be saved.
i. He just lets sinners go their own pernicious way.
4. By what standard does God predestinate? (Eph. 1:5-6)
IV. GRACE REIGNS IN OUR CALLING (ROM. 8:30)
1. The word called is seldom, in the New Testament, applied to recipients of a mere external invitation.
2. It normally refers to the effectual call that woos men to Christ through the Spirit’s speaking to the heart.
III: Not “those who came,” but unto them who are the called. (I Cor. 1:24)
III: This does not mean forcing a man to be saved. God drags no man to the cross.
3. According to II Tim. 1:9, this is of grace.
III: Paul’s conversion.
V. GRACE REIGNS IN JUSTIFICATION
1. Justification is a judicial act of God which declares the believer to be acquitted and unaccusable. It is by grace. (Rom. 3:24)
VI. GRACE REIGNS IN CONVERSION
1. Conversion is a change in the sinner that must be wrought from without. Can darkness beget light? Can death beget life? Can filth produce purity?
2. Even so, conversion is from above, and is by grace.
VII. GRACE REIGNS IN GLORIFICATION
1. Glorification is conformity to Christ in body as well as soul.
2. It is not complete so long as we are mortal or buried. Grace must resurrect us, we cannot.
3. Let sin take its toll, but grace shall reign unto eternal glory.
VIII. THE PROVISIONS OF GRACE
1. Let the trembling sinner be told that grace provides all his needs, past, present and future.
2. Let him be told that the best must come, and the worst may.
III: Whosoever will, let him come, but let him not think, that will to come is natural.