1. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (Romans 5: 9)
2. 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)
3. 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)
4. 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)
5. Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. (Romans 5: 20)
6. Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? (Romans 11: 12)
7. For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? (Romans 11: 24)
These comparisons of opposites raise questions of contradiction.
1. How can one causing wrath be saved and justified?
2. Why would One give His life for an enemy?
3. When I offend God, why should I be entitled to a free gift?
4. Can one worthy of death ever be made righteous again?
5. Do I receive more grace by breaking the law?
6. How does fallen man receive a fullness?
7. How does a naturally wild nut like me become a tame, natural fruit, pleasing unto God?
There can only be one answer to all these questions. God knows the "end from the beginning" (Abraham 2: 8). Everyone is sure to get more in the end than he or she deserves. Jesus earnestly desires and is willing to make those who follow Him, "equal in power, and in might, and in dominion" (D&C 76: 95). And the final answer: He loves each of us more than we can comprehend.
It begs the question: "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8: 32). What would He ever hold back?
3. 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)
4. 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)
5. Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. (Romans 5: 20)
6. Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? (Romans 11: 12)
7. For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? (Romans 11: 24)
These comparisons of opposites raise questions of contradiction.
1. How can one causing wrath be saved and justified?
2. Why would One give His life for an enemy?
3. When I offend God, why should I be entitled to a free gift?
4. Can one worthy of death ever be made righteous again?
5. Do I receive more grace by breaking the law?
6. How does fallen man receive a fullness?
7. How does a naturally wild nut like me become a tame, natural fruit, pleasing unto God?
There can only be one answer to all these questions. God knows the "end from the beginning" (Abraham 2: 8). Everyone is sure to get more in the end than he or she deserves. Jesus earnestly desires and is willing to make those who follow Him, "equal in power, and in might, and in dominion" (D&C 76: 95). And the final answer: He loves each of us more than we can comprehend.
It begs the question: "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8: 32). What would He ever hold back?
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