Even Greater than Sin

How often Believers can feel defeated and discouraged. For even the “best” of us falls short. We can be like Paul in admitting, “For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want” (Romans 7:19). We can be like Peter, ready to make bold promises but then, in moments of weakness, saying or doing the wrong thing (Matthew 26:35).

Sin can seem like a heavy weight around our shoulders. Like an obstacles we never can overcome. But the Bible reminds us that God is ready to forgive our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We just need to confess those sins and then trust Him (1 John 1:9).

The Bible promises that God’s grace is greater than any sin we might commit. This was an insight that, in 1911, inspired Julia Johnston to write a poem, “Grace, Greater Than Our Sin.” With music written by Daniel Towner, this hymn reminds us of God’s grace.

Julia described the “marvelous grace of our loving Lord.” How it “exceeds our sin and our guilt!” We can feel defeated by “sin and despair, like the sea waves cold.” As we think that our weaknesses are a dark “stain that we cannot hide” and wonder “What can avail to wash it away?”

But the cross of Christ provides the “refuge” we need. How hard it can be simply to trust in God. To look to Him. To realize the glories of His “marvelous, infinite, matchless grace” that is “freely bestowed on all who believe!”

Her cry, for all who longed to see His face, was that they would receive that grace. A grace “that will pardon and cleanse within.” A grace “that is greater than all our sin.”