“For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory: why yet am I judged as
a sinner?
“And not rather (as
we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) let us do evil,
that good may come? Whose damnation is just.” (Romans 3: 7-8)
we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) let us do evil,
that good may come? Whose damnation is just.” (Romans 3: 7-8)
!["GOP]("http://media.salon.com/2012/10/Richard-Mourdock-e1351040576163-460x305.jpg" "\"GOP") |
| Indiana State Treasurer Richard Mourdock |
Indiana’s state treasurer and failed US Senate candidate
Richard Mourdock offered a sound response to what should be done if a woman has
been raped and a child is conceived.
Richard Mourdock offered a sound response to what should be done if a woman has
been raped and a child is conceived.
“Sometimes it’s God’s will,” he remarked. The media frenzy
pounced on that one phrase, turning Mourdock’s sensitive statement into an
insensitive, senseless remark.
pounced on that one phrase, turning Mourdock’s sensitive statement into an
insensitive, senseless remark.
He was not saying that rape was God’s will, not at all. What
he did say, though, was that God can take an evil act and transform the life
that is created through rape to bless the world.
he did say, though, was that God can take an evil act and transform the life
that is created through rape to bless the world.
| James Robison |
James Robison is a stunning example of God’s grace in this
respect. His mother was raped, and James was conceived. His mother carried him
to term, and now he is a world-renowned pastor who runs an impressive ministry
in Texas and in Africa.
respect. His mother was raped, and James was conceived. His mother carried him
to term, and now he is a world-renowned pastor who runs an impressive ministry
in Texas and in Africa.
Paul shared in another verse which invited scorn and
depravity from detractors:
depravity from detractors:
“Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound.
But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
“That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace
reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”
(Romans 5: 20-21)
reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”
(Romans 5: 20-21)
Just like the statement that
Paul made in Romans 3:8, Paul had to respond to the lies against him for
Romans 5:20 –
Paul made in Romans 3:8, Paul had to respond to the lies against him for
Romans 5:20 –
“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace
may abound?
may abound?
“God forbid. How shall we, that are dead in sin, live any
longer therein?” (Romans 6: 1-2)
longer therein?” (Romans 6: 1-2)
The very notion that we have been brought from death to life
in Christ would then go back and sin struck Paul as preposterous.
in Christ would then go back and sin struck Paul as preposterous.
I would further respond, in order to illustrate this blessed
point about God’s grace, that once a man has received Christ and all that He
has, why would we willfully lie, steal, commit adultery, or engage in another
perversion?
point about God’s grace, that once a man has received Christ and all that He
has, why would we willfully lie, steal, commit adultery, or engage in another
perversion?
Those who still struggle with sin, whether addicted to
pornography of substance abuse or another illicit behavior, they still struggle
simply because they are trying to break free in their own efforts. They are
trying to perfect their flesh, their fallen minds and bodies, when Paul
instructed his readers a few verses later:
pornography of substance abuse or another illicit behavior, they still struggle
simply because they are trying to break free in their own efforts. They are
trying to perfect their flesh, their fallen minds and bodies, when Paul
instructed his readers a few verses later:
sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6: 11)
The world and the church refuses to accept that we are no
longer in ourselves, but rather that we are in Christ, and through Him we
receive all the blessings that come with Him.
longer in ourselves, but rather that we are in Christ, and through Him we
receive all the blessings that come with Him.
In our spirit man, we are perfected forever. We still have a
fallen body and mind that will think fallen things, but are no longer under
sin, under Satan, but rather we are under grace. And grace is a better teacher
than the law:
fallen body and mind that will think fallen things, but are no longer under
sin, under Satan, but rather we are under grace. And grace is a better teacher
than the law:
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared
to all men,
to all men,
“Teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we
should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.” (Titus 2: 11-12)
should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.” (Titus 2: 11-12)
Without saying so in as many words, Richard Mourdock was
talking about the power of God’s grace in the midst of man’s depravity and sin.
The world misunderstood him then, and the world still misunderstands this grace
now.
talking about the power of God’s grace in the midst of man’s depravity and sin.
The world misunderstood him then, and the world still misunderstands this grace
now.
Shame on the media for turning Mourdock’s statement about
God’s grace into a lie – their condemnation indeed is just, and Mourdock
should not be ashamed of what he said.
God’s grace into a lie – their condemnation indeed is just, and Mourdock
should not be ashamed of what he said.
This last scripture should bring comfort to all who walk in
God’s grace:
God’s grace:
“Blessed are they
which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven.” (Matthew 5: 10)
which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven.” (Matthew 5: 10)