By One Man

29. April 2011 by Bernice Davis.

Grace and Peace be unto you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Our text for today is as follows:

Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned– 13 for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come. 15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! 16 Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification.

17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.

18 Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. 20 The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Paul closes out this chapter by assuring us that just as one man (Adam) caused sin to enter into the world; it was through one man (Jesus) that grace would enter and be granted to us as a gift from God.  

Again, Paul reminds us that the law has no power for salvation but without the law, sin is not taken into account for if we did not have a standard of measurement for right and wrong then how would we even know we are sinning. 

While Adam’s one act brought death to all men the one act of righteousness of Christ brought life for all men.   

What we can be sure of from our teachings over this week concerning the law, faith, righteousness and justification is that the pressure to pay for our sins is not on us but has already been paid through the completed work of Christ.   As believers, we accept this grace freely given to us by accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior. 

Again, I want to stress that this grace does not give us a license to sin.  As a matter of fact, the scriptures warn us against taking advantage of the grace of God.  Each day we should be maturing and getting stronger and stronger and our urges to sin should get less and less. 

Have a wonderful weekend everyone.  Safe travels to my friend Bev in London. 

Stay encouraged everyone and don’t forget to pray and read God’s word daily.

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