“For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:17
Standing upon Christ as our righteousness is the key to enjoying God as our source. The verse above shows the relationship between righteousness, grace, and life. Righteousness is the basic factor for grace to reign. In other words, the supply of grace to us is based on the righteousness of God demonstrated at Calvary. Grace flows from the cross. In Romans 5:17 grace is linked with righteousness. In verse 21 grace reigns through righteousness. Both verses reveal that grace flows out of righteousness and issues in life. Life is the goal. Life refers to God Himself ruling and reigning from within as the source of our living. Thus, grace, or supply, reigns through righteousness, that we may enjoy God Himself as the eternal life being our source.
For our practical experience, it is important to know that grace does not come to us in a haphazard way. Our ability to stand in grace for God’s supply is solidly based on God’s righteousness at the cross (Rom. 5:1-2). Grace is not without a basis. Even if God wanted to give us grace, He could not do it apart from righteousness. Because God’s character is one of righteousness, whatever He does is within the limits of His righteous nature and character.
In our experience we do not need to be concerned about whether we are lovable or whether we have potential so that God would receive us. It has nothing to do with that. It has to do with this: Has God righteously dealt with all the sins of all men? First John 2:1 answers with a resounding Yes! — “My little children, these things I write to you, that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”