See, grace lifts up the beggar from the dunghill, and makes him to sit among princes!

(Charles Spurgeon)

"Just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 5:21

The reign of sin is a gloomy contemplation. Permitted to come into this world as a usurper-having mounted its throne upon the heart of man by flattering blandishments, and crafty pleasantries-it was not long before sin fully developed itself. Its first act was to smite Eden with blast and mildew by its breath; its next act was to slay the second child of man and that by the hand of the eldest born. Since then, its reign has been . . .
  scarlet with blood,
  black with iniquity, and
  fraught with everything that can make the heart of man sad and wretched.

Oh sin, you tyrant monster, all the demons that ever sat upon the throne of Rome, were never such as you are! All the wicked men who have come forth as the scourges of man, the destroying angels of our race, though they have waded up to their knees in the blood of mortals-have never been so terrible as you are.

You have reigned unto death, and that a death eternal-a death which casts innumerable souls into an eternal grave-a grave of fire!

Our apostle now changes the subject, and represents man under the gracious state, as rejoicing in another government and ruled by another King. Just as sin has reigned, and with despotic and irresistible power has ground his subjects in the very dust, and then cast them into the flames-so does grace reign with irresistible goodness, constrain the chosen multitude to yield obedience, and thus prepares them for eternal bliss.

See, grace lifts up the beggar from the dunghill, and makes him to sit among princes! Mark its shining course, and behold it blessing the sons of man wherever it stretches out its silver scepter, chasing away the misery of night, and giving the joy of gospel day.