Romans 5:12-21

Lent 1 – Year A

Romans 5:12-21

Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more. (Romans 5:20b)

Grace Greater than Our Sin was catchy hymn for previous generations. The refrain is hard to beat:
     Grace, grace, God’s grace,
     Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
     Grace, grace, God’s grace,
     Grace that is greater than all our sin.

I suspect that Jesus could easily have added this refrain into his singing of the Psalms – it would have been a "contemporary" hymn addition to the tradition. I'm not so sure he would have approved the verses with their exclusive focus upon crucifixion and a formulaic reversal [sin condemned = death; death justified = life]. Anyone out there up for a rewrite than scans better than this?

Marvelous grace of a living G*D,
Grace that exceeds any sin or guilt!
From deep, deep within each life's facade
Creation wells up to be rebuilt.

     refrain

Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold,
Threaten each soul with infinite fear;
Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,
Reveals a refuge always so near.

     refrain

Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
Unrestrained in its application,
Extends to each neighbor an embrace
Grounded in salvation's foundation.

     refrain