QT 3 Oct 11, Our recognition of our depravity helps us to appreciate God's Grace

Rom 6:1-4 (NIV) What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Rom 5:20-21 (NIV)  The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

NOTE: I think verse 6:1 is in response to repeated misunderstandings to Paul's teaching (as characterized in verses 5:20-21).  Paul is saying that the value of the OT law is in making us more aware of our problem, as defined in chapter 1 and 2, and that problem is sin.  As we understand the depth of our depravity and separation from God, we begin to truly understand the depth of God's grace.  More sin doesn't make for more grace, but our realization of our "more sin" is what allows us to truly understand God's gift of grace.  Our sin is what required Christ's death.  And we have identified with that death in baptism.  What's more, the symbol of baptism, not only highlights Christ's death for us, but also our future rising from the dead in which we hope.  The more I realize how far apart and separated I was from God, the more I can appreciate the immensity of God's grace.