They Which Receive Abundance of Grace
The secret to overcoming spiritual battles and attaining righteousness is to rely on Christ as our righteousness and to strive in the spirit of grace, not the law.
A.B. Simpson emphasizes the struggles faced by God's people in their pursuit of righteousness amidst temptation and guilt. He describes the internal conflict that arises when believers feel overwhelmed by their failures and the law's demands, leading to despair. Simpson reassures that true victory comes not through striving under the law but through the grace of Christ, who is our righteousness. He reminds us that we are not under the law but under grace, which empowers us to overcome sin. Understanding this truth is crucial for believers to find hope and strength in their spiritual battles.
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God's people sometimes fight tremendous battles to attain to righteousness in trying circumstances. Perhaps they feel guilt because temptation has been allowed to overcome them or, at least, to turn them aside from their singleness of purpose toward God. The resulting conflict is a terrible one as they seek to adjust and be right with God. They find themselves baffled by spiritual foes, and they are helpless and perplexed. How dark and dreary the struggle! At such times how helpless and ineffectual we seem to be! We are almost sure to strive in the spirit of the law; such striving will always result in condemnation and failure.
Every disobedience is met by a blow of wrath and discouragement, and we are close to despair.
If the tempted and struggling one could only understand, or remember what perhaps he has learned before, that Christ is our righteousness, and that it is not by law but by grace alone that we conquer. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace (Romans 6:14). That is the secret of the battle.
Sermon Outline
- The Struggle with Righteousness
- The Law vs. Grace
- The Secret of Victory
- Christ as Our Righteousness
- Conquering by Grace Alone
Key Quotes
“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace (Romans 6:14)” — A.B. Simpson
Application Points
- You can overcome guilt and temptation by remembering that Christ is your righteousness and that you are under grace, not the law.
- Relying on Christ as your righteousness is the key to winning spiritual battles and avoiding condemnation and failure.
- Strive in the spirit of grace, not the law, to achieve victory in your spiritual battles.