One of my favorite hymns is Grace Greater Than All Our Sins, written by Julia Harriet Johnston. The hymn highlights that God’s grace and love are more than sufficient to overcome sin and guilt. Johnston wrote the text in 1910, reflecting the biblical truth that “where sin abounded, grace did much more abound” (Romans 5:20). The lyrics—especially the refrain—emphasize that God’s grace is “greater than all our sin,” providing pardon and cleansing.

Grace is a foundational principle in God’s dealings with our sinful condition. A common definition of grace is not getting what we deserve. What we deserve for our sin is death, eternal separation from God (Romans 6:23). God’s grace, however, was provided for us through Jesus Christ as a gift (Ephesians 2:8–9), so that through faith, we do not receive what we deserve.

A simple classroom illustration helps clarify the concept of grace. When a teacher offers extra credit for effort despite poor test scores, the students receive something undeserved. In a far greater way, God’s grace spares us from eternal punishment.

Closely related to grace is mercy—getting what we do not deserve. An example would be receiving a warning instead of a fine or prison sentence for a crime. As sinners, we deserve eternal separation from God in Hell (Romans 6:23). God’s grace redeems us from the power of sin, while His mercy grants us the blessings of a heavenly home and the opportunity for a close, personal relationship with God.

This then begs the question: if God is full of grace and mercy, then why do bad things happen to good people, and why do good things happen to bad people? Pastor Ben Edwards (Cross Lanes Bible Church, Cross Lanes, WV) shared the following analysis in chapel: First, that question assumes that God owes us something because we are good. He does not owe us anything, but we owe Him everything. Secondly, there are no good people on earth. Romans 3:10 and 23 tell us that we are all sinners; no one is good. There has only been one good person who has ever walked on the earth, Jesus Christ, and bad things happened to Him, even the gruesome death on the cross (Philippians 2:8). So, bad things happened to the only good Person, and good things happen to all bad people. As believers, we trust that all things, good and bad, are designed for our good and God’s glory (Romans 8:26) for the purpose to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29). That is grace and mercy.  

After four decades of working with young people in education, I have witnessed both the positive effects of showing grace and the bitter results of grace being interpreted as weakness.

Grace is an extremely effective method when dealing with young people—if it is understood and properly responded to. The spiritual response to receiving grace should be gratitude and repentance. However, when grace is expected or demanded, the outcome is often a spiraling continuation of sin. Spiritual growth requires taking responsibility for our actions and learning from the resulting consequences.

Let us consider the steps toward salvation. First, we must acknowledge that we are all sinners and continually fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:10, 23). Once this responsibility is realized, we can call upon the Lord to save us (Romans 10:13). Salvation by grace through faith creates a new person; attitudes and desires are transformed (2 Corinthians 5:17). Yet even as recipients of grace, we have the responsibility to present ourselves continually and conveniently to God and to be transformed through the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:1–2).

Showing grace involves risk. Why? Because we cannot know how an individual will respond. Our hope and prayer are that the recipient of grace will understand and respond biblically. There must also be a necessary balance between law and grace. Grace is not a license to sin. We cannot misuse grace as our “get out of jail free card.” There are consequences to all actions, both positive and negative. Ken Collier, former director of The Wilds Christian Camp, once told a group of teens, “You can choose your sin, but you cannot choose the consequences of that sin.”

To reiterate a crucial warning: wrongdoing should never be entered into with the expectation of grace. Grace is not a precedent for future misbehavior. Paul answers plainly: “Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid” (Romans 6:1–2). God’s grace is rooted in His justice. He deals with each of us individually because He knows how we will respond, whether we are spiritually mature enough to receive grace, and—most importantly—what is best for us.

Grace cannot be earned or expected. Grace shown to one person may not be exhibited in the same way to another. Children sometimes use the consequence shown to siblings as the precedent they will receive. Once, our daughter broke our rules for her phone usage. As a result, she lost her phone for two weeks. When our son misused his phone privilege, he lost it for a month. It may be declared unfair, but receiving grace is a gift. It cannot be demanded.

A Classroom Illustration

Consider two students who cheat on a final exam in Government and Economics. Though the sin is the same, the consequences differ based on the spiritual maturity of their response.

Gary, a senior, cheats on his exam. He did not get caught. He graduates and attends a Christian college, eventually accepting a call to serve as a youth pastor. Each time he stands before his students, the Holy Spirit convicts him of his past deception. Unable to escape this conviction, Gary contacts his former high school teacher, travels to meet with him, confesses his sin, and offers restitution. He is willing to retake the exam, repeat the course, or even return his diploma. His greatest desire is reconciliation so he can serve effectively.

The teacher forgives him, recognizing that the spiritual toll of Gary’s sin far outweighed any academic penalty. Gary leaves cleansed, having received grace and genuinely repented.

Kim, in the same class, cheated on the same exam. The discovery of her deception happened on the day of her High School graduation. She initially denied the offense. When she finally confesses, she offers excuses: she lacked time to study, the exams were too difficult, everyone cheats, and she needed a good grade for a scholarship. Because she failed to accept responsibility, grace was not shown. Kim failed the exam, which tanked her GPA. She graduated without the scholarship and was unable to attend the college of her choice. Since that confrontation, Kim has grown bitter and holds the school responsible for dashing her dreams.

Learning from Peter

How should we respond when infractions occur? Scripture provides wisdom, and few lives illustrate grace better than the apostle Peter.

• Peter was an ordinary fisherman from Galilee, not formally trained, yet he immediately obeyed Jesus’ call (Matthew 4:18–20). He was impulsive—quick to act, slow to think. Someone once joked that Peter often opened his mouth only to change feet.
• Peter attempted to walk on water but became fearful and sank. He resisted Jesus washing his feet, then demanded full cleansing. He rebuked Jesus for predicting the crucifixion and later drew a sword in the Garden of Gethsemane, committing an act worthy of death before Christ healed the wounded servant. He vowed loyalty yet denied Christ three times. After the resurrection, he ran to the empty tomb, confused yet hopeful.
• Peter and Jesus shared two defining moments by the Sea of Galilee. The first was the miraculous catch that led to Peter’s calling as a “fisher of men.” The second was Peter’s restoration after the resurrection. Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him—mirroring Peter’s three denials—restoring him before recommissioning him.
• Peter went on to become a Spirit-empowered leader, preaching at Pentecost, performing miracles, writing Scripture, and ultimately giving his life for Christ. Yet even as a mature believer, he still struggled with fear and inconsistency, as Paul publicly confronted Peter for withdrawing from Gentile believers under pressure from messengers sent by James (Galatians 2:11–14).

Growing in Grace

Are any of us perfect? Do we experience cycles of sin, repentance, and restoration? Are consequences evidence of disappointed love?

Ironically, Peter later exhorted believers to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18)—a lesson he learned over a lifetime. Growing in grace takes time. Age alone does not guarantee or limit maturity. The condition of our hearts determines our growth.

Sometimes grace produces a dramatic transformation; other times, it refines us through hardship. Paul experienced both. On the road to Damascus, he was miraculously saved and changed in an instant. But Paul’s thorn in the flesh remained so that Christ’s power could be perfected in his weakness (2 Corinthians 12:8–9).

Why Consequences Matter

Consequences teach discernment, reinforce accountability, and form part of sanctification. Discipline shapes holiness and proves love (Hebrews 12:6–8). Grace must be received with humility and responsibility. Confession means agreeing with God about our sin—not minimizing or excusing it (1 John 1:9).

Habits That Foster Growth in Grace

1. Bible Intake – consistent reading, study, and meditation (2 Timothy 3:16–17).
2. Prayer – developing a continual, unceasing, conversational prayer life.
3. Fellowship – engaging in worship and Christian community, experiencing grace from others.
4. Gratitude – intentionally cultivating thankfulness (Philippians 1:3–6).
5. Resting in God’s Love – viewing failures as opportunities for refinement.

Consistency in these practices fosters spiritual maturity and transformation.

Final Thoughts

In my years working with students, I have almost always erred on the side of grace. That posture flows from my understanding of God’s role in shaping lives. Can we be too gracious? Possibly and probably—and I have paid that price more times than I care to admit. Accountability and wise counsel have provided balance.

Grace requires patience and long-suffering. Restoration is the responsibility of the spiritually mature (Galatians 6:1). We must always consider how gracious we hope to be treated.

As Billy Graham said, “Grace is the free gift of Almighty God to needy mankind.“ It’s important to remember that our worst days are never so bad that we are beyond the reach of God’s grace, and our best days are never so good that we are beyond the need of it. Grace does not make obedience unnecessary—it makes obedience possible.

It truly is greater than all our sins.