Romans 5:18-21 Therefore as by the offense of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men to justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Moreover the law entered, that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned to death, even so might grace reign through righteousness to eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Sin did reign and led to death. In the same way, grace, the free gift that includes righteousness, holiness, and redemption, will reign. Grace will reign and lead to eternal life.

Grace will reign through the righteousness that is included in grace (the free gift). This is the free gift of righteousness, which Paul writes about in his letter to the Romans.

This righteousness directs the process, it reigns.

Here is how that works. God speaks. He lets us know what His will is. He does this consistently, all the time. We were designed to be in close communion with God. It is iniquity, that tendency to want to do our own wills, that separates us from God. When we listen to God and hear Him, faith is born in our hearts. Whatever is not of faith is sin. Faith is the door to grace, the free gift. Grace comes in and does the works of God through us... providing that we yield ourselves to God.

(some caveats about hearing God's Voice)

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