“Sin and Grace” by J. D. Jones

August 11, 2010


Notes from Chapter 5 of Paul’s Certainties by J. D. Jones. This chapter contains the sermon “Sin and Grace” based on Romans 5:20, “Where sin increased, grace increased all the more.”

“The text suggests a battlefield; it tells of a conflict that has been proceeding since time began, which is proceeding now, which is proceeding everywhere, which is proceeding in our own hearts.»

“There is nothing about the Bible more noteworthy and characteristic than its stubborn and almost obstinate optimism.”

“Of all the people in the world, the Christian is the only one who has a right to be cheerful.”

“I would say that the Bible arrives at its optimism by way of pessimism.”

“In its view of the facts of life, the Bible sides with the pessimist. But the Bible, for all that, is not a pessimistic book; its dominant note is not that of melancholy or despair ; through its pessimism it emerges into a calm, confident, and courageous optimism.”

“Wherever sin is to be found, grace is to be found also. Wherever sin has gone to steal and kill and destroy, grace goes to restore and heal and redeem.»

“Sin enslaves, but grace emancipates.”

“I am almost prepared to say you can come to the end of God’s anger, but you can never exhaust or come to the end of His mercy.”

“And how shall we receive this mighty energy of grace ? This liberating, redeeming, cleansing grace, how shall we get it ? Through Jesus Christ. When we touch Him, all the redeeming and healing powers that dwell in Him will flow into us.”

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