Have you ever wondered how it all began?  That is, have you ever wondered what the origin of the kingdom of Grace is that Paul speaks of in Romans 5:20-21?

I read this today and simply could not keep it to myself.

Listen as James Montgomery Boice gives us a glimpse into a decision made in the halls of eternity past by the Godhead to send a Redeemer.

“In that eternal covenant between the persons of the Godhead, God the Father said, “I want to demonstrate the nature and power of my grace before the hosts of heaven. To do that I am going to create a world of creatures to be known as men and women. I am going to allow them to fall into sin. I am going to allow sin to reign over them, enslaving them by its power and leading them at last to physical and spiritual death. But when sin has done its worst and the condition of the race seems most hopeless, I will send a heavenly being of infinite grace and power to rescue them and effect a new kingdom of love. Who will go for us? Who will accomplish the salvation of this yet-to-be-created race?”

“The Lord Jesus Christ responded, “Here am I; send me. I will do what needs to be done. I will take the form of one of these creatures, thereby becoming man as well as God. I will die for them. I will die in their place, the innocent for the guilty, God for man. I will bear the punishment of their transgressions. Then, when I have paid the penalty for their sin so that they never have to suffer for it, I will rise from the dead and be for them an ever-reigning and ever-gracious Lord.”

“So a covenant was enacted to establish a kingdom of grace, in which Jesus would die for a people whom God would give to him.”

“The Holy Spirit, who was also present at the inauguration of this kingdom, covenanted to lead those whom God had first chosen for this kingdom to faith in the crucified and risen Lord, by which alone they could enter it.”

– James Montgomery Boice, Romans Volume 2, The Reign of Grace, page 635

“Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:20-21)

Oh Lord, give us grace to not neglect a salvation so great as this.