22 We are Dead Unto Sin

Paul says supporting one of the characteristics of the Law, that is, the Law caused one to sin more. The abounding of the grace of God in such persons and places who believed the Gospel, where sin had previously abounded; which if true, might cause his opponents to say, then it will be proper to continue in a sinful course of life, to make the grace of God abound yet more and more. But Paul counters this thought as he says, “Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?” He immediately answers by saying God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? In other words, NO WAY!

To be sure the objection is without any ground and foundation; sin is not the cause of the glorifying God’s grace, but sin of itself is what leads to God’s wrath, and not of grace. God has been pleased to take an occasion of magnifying His grace, in the forgiveness of sin, for it is not by the commission of sin, but by the pardoning of it, that the grace of God is glorified, or made to abound. Moreover, grace in conversion is glorified by putting a stop to the reign of sin, and not by increasing its power, which would be done by continuing in it. Grace as opposed to the effect of the Law which teaches men not to live in sin, but to abstain from it. It is important to cite the abuse of grace, and not to the abounding of it, that men at any time abuse, or make an ill use of the doctrines of grace for their own licentious lifestyles. They are most assuredly not saved by the Gospel.