Introduction
How do you define the term, "grace"? I like to say it is God's unmerited favor, and make an acrostic of the word by saying, "Great Riches At Christ's Expense." The world may not realize it but they are thirsty for God's grace. Some of the most beloved songs of Christianity have grace for their theme. Probably the most popular song is titled Amazing Grace. So what about God's Grace? To say the least, it's truly amazing!
 

1.    What About the . . Need of God's Grace? 5:12-14

    A.    Grace Needed Because of Sin's. . Invasion 5:12-13
        12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way
        Death spread to all men, because all sinned.  13 In fact, sin was in the world before the law, but sin
        is not charged to one's account when there is no law.

    B.    Grace Needed Because of Sin's . . Influence. 5:14
             14 Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin in the
             likeness of Adam's transgression. He is a prototype of the Coming One.

            How many people need God's grace? Everyone needs it because of sin's invasion and influence in this world. To realize sin started with one person and affected all of us is an amazing thought. But even more awesome than that is the fact that God provides grace that can cover every sin. A trusted servant told his Christian employer he had never sinned nor even been tempted to sin. The master gave him an assignment of polishing a jewelry box every day but he was not to look inside. After a few days he looked inside to find a note reading, "welcome son of Adam." All have sinned, and need God's grace!
 

2.    What About the . . Nature of God's Grace? 5:15-17

    A.    The . . Unusual Nature of Grace. 5:15
            15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if by the one man's trespass the many died, how much
            more have the grace of God and the gift overflowed to the many by the grace of the one man,
            Jesus Christ.

    B.    The . . Unexpected Nature of Grace. 5:16
            16 And the gift is not like the one man's sin, because from one sin came the judgment, resulting
            in condemnation, but from many trespasses came the gift, resulting in justification.

    C.    The . . Universal Nature of Grace. 5:17
            17 Since by the one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, how much more will
            those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the
            one man, Jesus Christ.

        What is the nature of God's Grace? I see it as unusual, unexpected, and universal. It is unusual because nothing of human origin matches it. Grace is amazing, marvelous, and it results in justification. Who really expects the kind of grace God provides? It is unexpected, and certainly undeserved; it is not like man's sin, nor anything he develops. Grace is also universal because all mankind needs it. We could look the world over and not find a person of any color, nationality, or economical background who does not need grace. The nature this grace produces causes a different quality of life as one, "becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore." (2 Cor. 5:17 TLB).
 

3.    What About the . . Nurture of God's Grace? 5:18-21

    A.    The . . Acquitting Nurture of God's Grace. 5:18
            18 So then, as through one trespass there is condemnation for everyone, so also through one
            righteous act there is life-giving justification for everyone.

    B.    The . . Agreeable Nurture of God's Grace. 5:19
            19 For just as through one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through the
            one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.

    C.    The . . Abounding Nurture of God's Grace. 5:20-21
            20 The law came along to multiply the trespass. But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even
            more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace will reign through righteousness,
            resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

        From the text we see the nurturing qualities of grace? It provides the nurture of acquitting one's trespasses. Grace also provides the nurturing qualities that demonstrate the plan whereby God becomes agreeable to the forgiveness of our sin. Man tries to work so God will accept his deeds for the forgiveness of sin, but that never brings the necessary agreement. God alone initiates, and designs, the propitiation for our sins. God's agreement comes through the grace centered in the sacrifice of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. God's grace also furnishes an abundant nurturing. It is abundant because where sin abounds grace abounds much more. I like to reverse the words of Isaiah as he relates God has given Jerusalem double punishment for all her sins, and say we receive twice as much grace as needed for the cleansing of our sins. It makes me want to shout an exclamation of the lesson title; What About God's Grace? Amen? Amen!