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)
There are two four-letter words in that verse that are seldom used in the church today. Those words are “much more”. You see, the Gospel is not about what we can do for God. It is the “almost-too-goodto-be-true” news of what He has done for us! Jesus came to reveal the heart of the Father God to us. That heart is a heart of love and grace!
Just look at the amazing language that is being used in the following verses:
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (Romans 5:8-9)
For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. (Romans 5:10)
But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. (Romans 5:15)
Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: (Romans 5:20)
These verses simply illustrate one thing: that what Jesus did on the cross (the love and grace of God in action) far exceeds anything that the devil or sin could ever try to throw your way. The grace of God isn’t just equal to whatever you need. It is goes way beyond what you need.
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. (Ephesians 3:20)
Child of God, you were meant to rule and reign in life. You were never meant to be ruled over by sin, sickness, poverty, stress, and fear! Sin is no match for the blood of Jesus! Sickness can’t rule in the body of a person who receives abundance of grace.
In the New Covenant there are many comparisons that are made using the term, “much more”. Let’s look at some of those comparisons.
In Luke 12, starting in verse 22, Jesus talks to His disciples about worry and anxiety. He said, “Don’t worry about your life. Don’t worry about what you are going to eat or drink. Don’t be concerned about what you are going to wear.” And then He began to make a comparison. Look at verses 24, 27, and 28:
Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God
feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Your value is being compared to the value of other things. God wants you to know that your value in His sight is much greater than the rest of creation. When it comes to what you need in life, when it comes to your desires, when it comes to what makes you tick, He wants you to know that He loves you “much more” than the birds that He takes care of. He loves you “much more” than the grass and flowers that He clothes. When you discover just how much your Father truly loves you, you will no longer have to worry or fear. Faith will arise and lay hold of His provision for you. That’s good news!
Jesus finishes this thought in verse 32 when He says, “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” It’s all about His love and His care for you!
If you want to experience this love, you need to change your mind about a few things.
First, you must develop a mentality of how much God values you. He is not looking to withhold anything from you. He values you so much. If you will just receive from the abundance of grace that He has given you, all of your needs will be taken care of. You don’t have to live in fear. You don’t have to live in torment. You don’t have to live in stress or anxiety.
Second, you must renew your mind to God’s willingness to do things on your behalf. Look at this comparison that Jesus makes:
If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil,
know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Luke 11:11-13)
In other words, think about the love that we have for our children. As much as we desire to give them what they want, God ‘s love towards us is infinitely greater! His desires for us far exceed our own.
Our faith is not in our ability to receive, it is in His willingness to provide! Believe Him. Trust Him. Truly as you receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness, you shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. He is a “much more” God!
~Mark Machen
Mark pastors Life of Faith Church in Birmingham, Alabama. He began pastoring in 2011 after serving in various positions, including worship leader, bookkeeper, media director, and associate pastor at the church that his father pastored for the past 30 years.
Within a few months of pastoring, Mark began to experience the true gospel of God’s grace. Over the next few years, with the Holy Spirit’s guidance, Mark helped Life of Faith Church transition to the freedom-producing, rest-inducing grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Mark’s passion is to teach people about living in the Kingdom of God and how they can experience the fruit of grace in their relationship with God; how they can experience the power of the Holy Spirit in daily living; and how they can walk in rest concerning their finances.
Mark has been married to his wife, Jennifer, for more than 25 years. They have three children, (two married daughters and a son). Jennifer serves in ministry alongside Mark. In 2014, Jennifer began attending Charis Bible College.
To learn more about the extravagant love of our Father and the phrase “much more”, please listen to Mark Machen’s series, “The God of Much More”, at http://lifeoffaithchurch.org/muchmore. For more teachings from Mark Machen, go to http://lifeoffaithchurch.org or download the Life of Faith Church phone app.
