“Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound!”
(Romans 5:20)
Dear Savior, in Your sufferings I not only see the infiniteness
of sin, but also the infiniteness of Your love; so that, though
I have cause with myself to be angry on account of sin, I need
not despair.
If the desert of my sinful folly is death–the merit of Your
sufferings is life!
If my sins mount up to heaven–Your mercy is above the heavens!
Though my sins reach to the very throne to accuse me
–there is One upon the throne who will not condemn me!
When I look to myself and see my vileness and necessity–I am
confounded with shame! But when I look to You, and see Your
fullness and all-sufficiency–I am confounded with wonder!
Am I weak? Jesus is my strength.
Am I foolish? Jesus is my wisdom!
Am I wicked? Jesus is my righteousness!
Am I impure? Jesus is my sanctification!
Am I in bondage? Jesus is my complete redemption!
Am I in misery? From Jesus tender mercy flows.
Am I deceitful? Jesus is wholly truth!
In a word, am I enmity itself? Then Jesus is love itself
which passes understanding! Mine is but the enmity
of a creature–but Yours is the love of God!
Where sin abounded–grace did much more abound!
Where misery has surrounded me–Your mercy has crowned me!
Sin is too strong for me–but Your grace is too strong for sin!
Why, then, am I so vexed with fears, doubts, and unbelief?
Because I am sinful. On that very account, Jesus, who knew
no sin, was made sin–that I, who knew no righteousness,
might be made the righteousness of God in Him.
But I am a great sinner! But Jesus is a Savior, and a great One!
Where is boasting now? See–it is great mercy in God, great
merit in Christ–which saves a great sinner! Since rich and free
grace builds the temple of salvation–let it have all the glory!
But I fall often into the same sin! That is my failing, over
which I ought to mourn, and by which I should be driven out
of all boasting in my own holiness, high attainments, and
religious duties; and cry, with tears of holy joy, “Grace, grace
to Him who has laid the foundation, carries on the whole work
of redemption, and will, with shouting bring forth the topstone!”
Now, law, what have you to do with me? Go to my
Surety, Jesus! O curse! you have lighted on His head,
that the blessing might rest on mine!
Though once I dared not lift my eyes heavenward, for fear
of divine wrath–yet now I may come boldly to the throne
of grace, and claim the blessings of His purchase!
Though my sin offends Him–I shall never sin away His love,
nor His presence altogether. For He shall come a second
time, to deliver me from all my inherent sinfulness!
Though my sin is my burden–it shall not be my bane! Yet
I shall never willingly let the traitor rest in my bosom–which
would persuade my soul into rebellion against my dearest
Lord, and best Friend. I may have continual war with the
invader–but shall obtain the victory at last! Meanwhile, I
will grieve more for offending Him whose name is Love, by
my sin–than for the clouds, afflictions, and chastisements
which seize me because of my sinfulness.
Now, with the arms of my faith, I clasp the promise–and
Jesus in the promise! Here will I live, and here will I die,
blessing God, who causes me always to triumph in Jesus
Christ my Lord! (By James Meikle-1730-1799)
