Grace And Sin's Thoroughness Series

Grace And Sin’s Thoroughness

Romans 5:12

Introduction:

A. The section of Scripture that begins with this verse contrasts the effects of Adam’s sin with the results of Christ’s sacrifice.

B. Paul will use the occasion of sin’s entrance into humanity by Adam and Eve’s disobedience to prove that all-Jews and Gentiles alike, are sinners.

C. This section has created unrest for some people for they wonder why they are held responsible for a bad decision our first parents made.

D. So we must examine whether Paul is teaching we are responsible for Adam and Eve’s sin or whether he is showing how we are all guilty by being their descendants-while not actually guilty of their sin.

E. Very few-if any, would argue the presence of sin in people. It is very evident by their actions and attitudes. If we could examine the inner workings of even the most charitable person who is not a believer, we would no doubt discover that often their actions are tainted by improper motives.

F. Those who would doubt their sinfulness only need to examine their actions by the clear teachings of God’s Word to conclude they do miss the mark God has established to find acceptance with him.

G. Paul has already established all have sinned (3:23). Now he will examine how sin is transmitted, inherited or played out by Adam’s descendants.

I. The Truth About Sin

A. Paul connects Adam’s sin to the entire human race.

B. Now we might ask about Eve. After all, wasn’t she the one who gave into Satan’s temptation?

C. While this is true, we will find Adam was considered the federal or natural head of the human race in God’s eyes.

D. Adam also entered into sin with eyes wide open while Eve was deceived by the serpent. The result, however, was the same.

E. Before we examine how this plays out, let’s state some truths about sin as well as some of its results.

F. While Adam and Eve committed the first sin of the human race, sin began in heaven when Lucifer-an angel, decided to rebel against God’s rule and took other angels with him. He then wanted to spread this infectious disease to the human race. He was successful as we read in the story of Eve’s giving in to temptation and leading her husband to do the same.

G. Sin is a spirit of independence from God. This was true with Lucifer and is played out in all individuals who want to live apart from God’s control over their lives. It is exhibited in the idea that “life is all about us” and we do not need anyone telling us how to live.

H. Sin is rebellion against God since it is an affront to his holy nature.

I. Sin blinds us to God’s purpose and leads us to think we know best and will not really endure the consequences God says come with sin.

J. Sin separates us from God since he cannot have anything to do with it.

K. Sin permeates our mind. Our minds become Satan’s playground, and all temptation begins here. We think, feel, and then act. Eve thought about what the serpent was telling her before feelings of becoming like God arose in her mind. Then she acted on what she desired.

L. With sin comes feelings of fear and shame as well as the possibility of having our consciences seared if we continually ignore the voice of God as Pharaoh of old did (he hardened his heart against God’s message and God allowed that hardening to continue).

M. Sin enslaves us just as surely as the chains did the African villagers who were carted from their homeland and transported to America. It is a bad habit we cannot break in our own power.

N. Not only does it separate us from God, but it separates us from others as well.

O. If not dealt with, it will eventually result in experiencing the full wrath of God’s fury.

II. The Death Trap of Sin

A. Theologians disagree over whether Adam and Eve would have died had they not sinned.

B. The question is whether or not physical death was a consequence of sin or whether humans would have died even if they had not disobeyed.

C. Regardless of where we fall on this spectrum, their sin brought spiritual death, and physical death arrived eventually. It was of course not immediate for they lived a number of years after their disobedience and had many children.

D. If physical death was a consequence, we can possibly conclude that their bodies began to age immediately.

E. Spiritual death was an immediate disconnection between them and God. The relationship as it had been was severed, and with spiritual death comes present and eternal consequences-eternal death being the final consequence.