For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ (Romans 5:17).
The word “receive” in the verse above is the Greek, “Lambano,” and it means to take possession of something and make it yours; to seize or take a hold of something by yourself and make it yours. It doesn’t mean passively waiting in anticipation for something to drop in your hands. The Bible says those who “lambano” abundance of grace—an overflowing of grace—and the gift of righteousness shall reign in life.
How much grace do you want, and for what do you require it? The Lord is saying to you, “Go for it! Take as much as you want!” It reminds of Paul’s counsel to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:1; he said, “…be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” In other words, take advantage of the grace; take as much of it as you want. When it comes to grace, it’s as much as you can take; but for righteousness, it’s the same for everybody.
That’s why for grace, you don’t find the use of the definite article before the word, “abundance”; it is “they which receive abundance of grace,” not “the abundance of grace.” But for righteousness, there’s a definite article: “they which receive…the gift of righteousness….” However, in both cases, you don’t wait or “try”; you TAKE possession.
Don’t “try” on your own to become righteous, because no matter how much you try, you’ll never attain righteousness on your own. Rather, embrace His righteousness; take His righteousness and abundance of grace. Receive grace for your industry, to be a master of the Arts, a master of Sciences, a master in your job, business or career. Receive grace to be a maestro, an enigma in your field, such that others would wonder at you. That’s what God wants for your life.
As you function in His abundant grace, He brags with you and shows you off to the people of the world and even to angels and principalities: “To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God” (Ephesians 3:10). Hallelujah!
Prayer / Confession
Gracious Father, I thank you for your abundant grace at work in my life, which causes me to excel in all that I do and fulfil my purpose in Christ. I’m a wonder to my world, because I’m piloted by your grace, which continually multiplies in my life through my knowledge of your Word, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Further study
Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 4:16; 2 Corinthians 9:8
1-year bible reading plan
Philippians 1:1-30; Isaiah 33-34
2-year bible reading plan
Titus 2:1-15; Jeremiah 50
