Death came into the world because of what man (Adam) did, and it is because of what this other man (Jesus) has done that now there is the resurrection from the dead.
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned (Romans 5:12).
We have already found that because of what one man, Adam did, sin entered the world and death spread throughout the world. We know that everything began to grow old and die. But now we want to look at the contrast between the one who started all of this and the one who end all of this.
For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous (Romans 5:19).
Adam’s sin brought punishment to all, causing all to become sinners because he disobeyed God. It was the righteousness of Christ that made man right with God again so that they could live. Christ gave many the opportunity to be made acceptable to God; all because he obeyed.
(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude (likeness) of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure (a type) of him that was to come. But not as the offense, so also is the free gift (the free gift is not like the false step or the wrongdoing of man). For if through the offense of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift (the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned): for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offenses unto justification (Romans 5:13-16).
The free gift of God does not work the same way that the transgression of man did. Because of one man’s sin, the death penalty was brought to many but this free gift of God is so much more. This gift, a gift of grace, is given by the righteousness of Jesus Christ. He has taken away all sin and replaced it with glorious life. But this gift does not have the same effect as the sin of the one, Adam. Adam provoked a judgment that resulted in the condemnation of everyone. The gift of grace, however, resulted in the justification for a multitude of transgressions.
For if by one man’s offense death reigned by one (the one); much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) (Romans 5:17).
While the sin of the one man, Adam caused death to be king over all; the righteousness of Jesus Christ made it possible for all who will take God’s gift of forgiveness and acquittal to be kings of life (reign in life).
Therefore as by the offense of one (one false step) judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one (one righteous act) the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Moreover the law entered, that the offense (sin) might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 5:18-21).
And it should only make sense that just as one single transgression would result in condemnation being extended to all, so should one single decree of righteousness result in the life-giving acquittal being extended to all in a like manner. Adam caused many to be sinners because he disobeyed God, and Christ caused many to be made acceptable or righteous to God because he obeyed. Enter the law. It was given so that all could see sin. And by seeing this sin, we could see the depth of God’s abounding grace at forgiving us. Just as sin ruled all men and brought them to death, God’s kindness now rules, bestowing to us right standing with God and giving us the opportunity for eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
What a contrast between Adam, who is the figure of him that was to come (Romans 5:14) and Christ. And what a difference between man’s sin and God’s forgiveness. Every one dies because all of us are related to Adam, being members of his sinful race, and wherever there is sin, death results. But all who are related to Jesus Christ will rise again, as members of his spiritual race.
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for (eagerly wait) him shall he appear the second time without (apart from) sin unto salvation (Hebrews 9:27-28).
It has been destined that men should die once and then comes the judgment. And so it is with Christ, who died once as an offering for the sins of many people. Nevertheless, he will come again, but not to deal with sin again.
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him (II Corinthians 5:21).
For God took the sinless Christ (him who knew no sin) and poured into him our sins (he made sin on our behalf). Then, in exchange, he poured God’s goodness into us (that we might become the righteousness of God in him). (to be continued…)
Enjoy your blessings - KW
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