God's grace is always greater than sin.
According to Les Feldick, where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. Even the most vile sinner is within God's reach, because His grace always goes further than man's greatest sin. But grace is never a license to sin; it is the power that forgives, cleanses, and calls a believing sinner righteous.
Romans 5:20 — This verse directly compares sin and grace, showing that wherever sin increases, grace increases even more.
The Bible states in Romans 5:20: "Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound." This comparison shows that grace outstrips sin—where sin increases, grace increases even more. The Scripture also says that both Jews and Gentiles are all under sin and that "there is none righteous, there is none that seeketh after God" (Romans 3:9-11). This underlines why everyone stands in need of God's grace.
Les Feldick repeatedly emphasizes that God's grace is always greater than sin. He draws from Romans 5:20—"where sin abounded, grace did much more abound"—and applies it to the worst sinners, saying, "I don't care how vile the sinner, God's grace can be greater." He explains that there is not a soul on the planet so steeped in sin and wickedness that God cannot save in a minute, cleanse his life, and make him a trophy of grace. At the same time, Les is emphatic that grace is not license. He notes that he has said "a thousand times that grace is not license," and that if a preacher is never accused of giving people the idea they can do as they please, he is probably not preaching the Gospel of the grace of God. For Les, grace is that attribute of God that enables Him to forgive, cleanse, and call righteous the vilest sinner who believes the gospel. Les uses the Corinthians as an example: these were "horrible Corinthians" who had been in the most gross sins, yet once saved, they were washed. Similarly, the Gentiles in Antioch had come out of immoral idolatry, but God saved them by His grace. To Les, this shows that no one's background puts them beyond the reach of grace.
Les teaches that "where sin abounded, grace did much more abound." He says that every one of us knows someone ungodly, hateful, and reprobate, yet God still loves them and is able to reach below the vilest sinner and lift him up and make him a saint. God's grace is always greater and will always go further than man's greatest sin. There isn't a soul living on this planet so steeped in sin and wickedness that God won't save in a minute and put his feet on a rock, clean up his life, and make him a trophy of His grace.
No. Les is careful to teach that grace is not license. In his words, "I have said it a thousand times that grace is not license." He explains that he is falsely accused of preaching that just because God's grace is great, we can go ahead and sin as we wish, but that is not what grace means. Grace is that attribute of God that allows Him to forgive, cleanse, and call righteous the most vile sinner who will believe the gospel. He also warns that if your teaching does not provoke the accusation that you give people the idea they can do as they please, you are probably not preaching the Gospel of the grace of God.
Les points to Paul's verdict that both Jews and Gentiles are all under sin—"there is none righteous, there is none that seeketh after God." He applies this to the whole human race, showing that no one is naturally better than another. The difference is not in a person's own goodness but in God's grace and what it does in a life through believing the gospel. Thus, even those who were not involved in idolatry or gross immorality have no grounds for self-righteousness.
The Corinthians and Washing
Les points to the Corinthians as people who had been in the most gross sins and explains that once a person is saved, he is washed—an image of the cleansing grace that covers even the worst background.
Grace Much More Abounds
Les teaches that where sin abounded, grace did much more abound, and that God can reach below the vilest sinner and lift him up and make him a saint.
Vile Sinners Saved
Les says that no matter how vile the sinner, God's grace can be greater; there isn't a soul so steeped in sin that God cannot save in a minute and make him a trophy of grace.
Grace Goes Further
Les states that a righteous, holy God's grace is always greater and will always go further than man's greatest sin, and that grace is not license but the power to forgive, cleanse, and call righteous the most vile sinner who believes the gospel.
All Under Sin
Les says that no matter how deep a sinner goes, God's grace is always greater, and he quotes the Scripture that all are under sin and none are righteous.
Romans 5:20 Explained
Les explicitly reads Romans 5:20 and points out that even in the genealogies, as low as some had fallen, the grace of God went beyond their sin.
Grace in Paul's Gospel
Les says that beginning with Paul, God's grace takes the preeminence and that if your gospel never gets you accused of giving people license to sin, you're probably not preaching the Gospel of grace.
Grace Greater Than Any Sin
Les reminds that grace is not license, that God's grace is greater than any person's sin, and that the Gentiles at Antioch had come out of immoral idolatry yet were saved by grace.
Romans 5:20: Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.
This is the key verse Les uses to show that grace always abounds beyond sin.
Yes. Les Feldick teaches that wherever sin abounds, grace abounds much more. No matter how deep a sinner goes, God's grace is always greater.
No. Les repeats often that grace is not license. He says he has been falsely accused of teaching that, but grace actually cleanses and calls a believer to cleave to his spiritual position.
Yes. Les says God can reach below the vilest sinner and save him in a minute, clean up his life, and make him a trophy of grace. The Corinthians and the Gentiles at Antioch are examples.
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