Romans 5:12-21
12Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned–
13for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
14Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.
15But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.
16The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification.
17For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.
18So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men.
19For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.
20The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,
21so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Today’s verse gives me so much hope, not just for myself but for the world. As Paul describes the difference between Adam and Christ, I see hope. Regardless of the amount of transgression one has, which results in judgement and condemnation, it is trumped by Christs grace and righteousness. How awesome is that?
I was thinking yesterday about how a sin is a sin, regardless of how much “severity” us humans try to put on it. From a little white lie, to taking a pen from work, to rape and murder, in God’s eyes, it’s all the same. What was the first sin? Eating a piece of fruit. Really? Is that what condemned us all to be born in sin? Sure, it was a sin, wasn’t it? They could have killed each other and the result would have been the same (other than the fact that God would have had to recreate them…) I digress.
The Law simply defines sin. Paul explains how sin existed way before the Law. Thankfully, Christ fulfilled that Law so we aren’t burdened with it. We are all forgiven, BUT we have to receive it. What good is a gift that someone gives you if you don’t take it and open it up? We must accept the gift in order to enjoy it. That’s right, enjoy it.
You hear too much today about people being burdened with their religion. Christ’s purpose was to free us from religion, not create it. Why is it so hard for us to understand that? we continue to make our rules and judge people by them and condemn ourselves because of them. FREE YOURSELF!!! Christ’s message, purpose, and gift is freedom. (cue William Wallace).
Why aren’t you living free today?
