by Scotty Smith
If, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:17

It’s not cliché to say, “There’s nothing more than the gospel; there’s just more of the gospel.” To help you see what I mean, I’m going to share one of my favorite quotes from the Chronicles of Narnia: The Last Battle. The children are moving from the Shadowlands into Narnia, and Queen Lucy says, “In our world, too, a Stable once had something inside it that was bigger than our whole world.”
That stable is the centerpiece of what we call in church history Advent. It is the grand declaration of our God, who is rich in mercy, who knew that the revelation of Himself as Creator could only be surpassed by the revelation of His being revealed as a Redeemer. So He sent Jesus for us. And the stable that seems so small to us is a magnificent metaphor for what the gospel is all about. If, when we speak the word gospel, we mean anything other than or less than the person and the work of Jesus, we need an adjustment. That person and work is far more glorious, far more magnificent than we can even imagine.
Let me invite you to follow along with me over the next few days as I share more reflections on this gospel revolution that began in that tiny stable and how this revolutionary power that raised Jesus from the dead on our behalf is truly in our midst today, changing us. Here is a fuller glimpse into the new, expansive world of the gospel of Jesus Christ:
For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. (Rom. 5:15–17)

Thought to Remember for Today

As we begin to think more deeply about these words, why not join me in this prayer:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, glorious triune God, we thank You that there was a stable in our world that contained something bigger than the entire universe. May Your commitment through Jesus and our union with Him expand the horizons of our hearts that we might live as carriers of Your story. Please show us the much moreness of this gospel. In Jesus’s name and for His glory, we pray. Amen.

Fitzpatrick, E. (2016). Grace untamed: a 60-day devotional. Colorado Springs, CO: David C Cook.