“But not as the offense, so also the gift. For if by the offence of one, many died; much more the grace of God, and the gift, by the grace of one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one sin, so also is the gift. For judgment indeed was by one unto condemnation; but grace is of many offences, unto justification. For if by one man’s offence death reigned through one; much more they who receive abundance of grace, and of the gift, and of justice, shall reign in life through one, Jesus Christ. Therefore, as by the offence of one, unto all men to condemnation; so also by the justice of one, unto all men to justification of life. For as by the disobedience of one man, many were made sinners; so also by the obedience of one, many shall be made just.”
St. Paul begins by saying, “Not as the offense, so also the gift,” because the existence of sin is a sort of non-being, such as darkness being merely an absence of light. Sin is an absence of love, whereas the gift of grace is a surplus of it that exceeds all sin: “Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy. And according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my iniquity” (Psalm 50:3). The remission of sin is not the fulness of God’s gift, but in newness of life comes “Love, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodness, longanimity, mildness, faith, modesty, continency, chastity” (Galatians 5:22-23), living on a righteous love that is true life: “The way of life, to him that observeth correction: but he that forsaketh reproofs goeth astray” (Proverbs 10:17). This love takes many different forms, and God gives abundant gifts to make it shine: “And God is able to make all grace abound in you; that ye always, having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8); “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with spiritual blessings in heavenly places, in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). It is by Jesus alone that gifts come, for the saints point to Him: “Is Christ divided? Was Paul then crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” (1 Corinthians 1:13), and the Father is reached through Him: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father, but by me” (John 14:6), thus all things point to Him, and all true gifts, that is, of the soul, proceed from Him: “We will make thee chains of gold, inlaid with silver” (Canticle 1:10). Now, this gift abounds to many, for punishment for one man’s sin is difficult to grasp in light of love, but to be saved on account of the love, grace, and testimony of Jesus shows His compassion: “He that hath received his testimony, hath set to his seal that God is true” (John 3:33). It is also the more attractive, because love shines like a halo and draws the heart: “Draw me: we will run after thee to the odour of thy ointments” (Canticle 1:3), whereas sin is bland and repetitive: “Nothing under the sun is new, neither is any man able to say: ‘Behold this is new:’ for it hath already gone before in the ages that were before us” (Ecclesiastes 1:10), and so many are called to love rather than remain in the stink of spiritual death: “Lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art called” (1 Timothy 6:12). Then, where in one sin was the origin of all sin, original sin and all actual sins committed by those that are reconciled to God are forgiven. The infinite merciful love of God is a complete cleansing, “Then he went down, and washed in the Jordan seven times: according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored, like to the flesh of a little child, and he was made clean” (4 Kings 5:14). To have the purity of a child is both a call and a gift: “Unless you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3), but this is what it means to be justified, to love as purely, eagerly, and as sincerely as a child. Now, if spiritual death, a lack of love, reigns in the world on account of sin, thus incurring condemnation, the love of God forgives the sins committed, gives the grace to cease the sins, and in time goes back on their effects, as the heart is filled with love and becomes free to love in turn. This is to receive the gift and the justice of Jesus Christ: “Being justified by his grace, we may be heirs, according to hope of life everlasting” (Titus 3:7), and this leads to a reigning in eternal life: “They shall reign for ever and ever” (Apocalypse 22:5), but this also is a reign over one’s own faculties, being able to follow love’s sweet fragrance and not be hindered by what once kept you pinned down: “The just shall shine, and shall run to and fro like sparks among the reeds” (Wisdom 3:7). The gift of this life of love is entirely a gift from God, with no merits being able to account for it: “Not of works, that no man may glory” (Ephesians 2:9), and the Divine Bridegroom, so eager to see His beloved burning with a fiery love and bringing this love and joy to all she encounters, gives liberally in turn: “And he commanded a magnificent feast to be prepared for all the princes, and for his servants, for the marriage and wedding of Esther. And he gave rest to all the provinces, and bestowed gifts according to princely magnificence” (Esther 2:18). Finally, because Adam lost the inheritance given by God to love in an upright manner, as becomes human nature, this fallenness descends to all his children, that in light of death they may seek to live virtuous lives, which is a life in obedience of the dictates of the Lord: “Thou shalt hear his voice, and do the commandments and justices which I command thee” (Deuteronomy 27:10). While this justice is excellent, it lacks the communion of love enjoyed by Adam, whereas to love Jesus and obey His precepts: “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not heavy” (1 John 5:3) is a gift of grace, “In this is love: not as though we had loved God, but because he hath first loved us, and sent his Son to be a propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10), and this love brings the lover of God into a place of sublime justice, animated by love. Therefore, by the obedience of Christ and the love with which He reached out to you, you may then be lifted by Him to a place of righteousness, animated by love.