Romans 5:12-21 One rebelled and one submitted
Scholars feel that it is one of the most difficult and controversial passages to interpret in all of Pauline literature. This passage leads us to a threefold understanding, such as Rebellion, Redemption, and Judgment. All sinned because one has sinned, all will be redeemed because one has shown obedience.
Rebellion
The disobedience of Adam has brought sin, and death upon humanity. Death refers to physical and spiritual deaths. Sin preceded the Law. But the law gave power to Sin. Law brought the feeling of Guilt and put humanity under stress. Adam’s breaking of the covenant with God became a Sin. That is known as Original Sin. However, the Lawgiver gave way out through the eternal providence of God. Adam’s transgression brought death to everyone. This one transgression brought Condemnation to all. Adam produced many sinners through his one act of disobedience and transgression. Sin had the power to enter into human life and corrupt human nature. We sinned because Adam sinned. We took part in him, so we have to take part in the Condemnation. Paul shows that the only way to escape the effects of the fall of the human race into sin is through the free gift of God’s grace that offers justification to all who will receive it.
Redemption
Sin was powerful to put people under its bondage. But the grace has come to us through Jesus Christ. Grace increased where the Sin increased. But that doesn’t mean that man can continue in Sin. Sin reigned death but grace reigns righteousness. Grace is a free gift and abundant in measurement. Through the act of the righteousness of Jesus, it reaches all. Many would-be made righteous through the obedience of Christ. Man needs a remedy for two things. One is the sinful nature that enslaves us to sin, and the other is our original guilt and condemnation that is rooted in us through our connection with Adam. Justification comes by faith. We are forgiven and put right with God legally. We are acquitted and counted righteous with Christ. Then, we are gradually transformed into the likeness of his Son by the Spirit.
Judgment and Eternal Life
The transgression led to Judgment and Judgment led to Condemnation. Sin has brought the death sentence upon humanity. But God had given the Eternal Life. Death reigned all even those who had not sinned as Adam had rebelled. God established a just and fitting amalgamation between Adam and his future generations, and on that basis, when Adam sinned, the judgment that led to condemnation was the estimate of Adam's sin as our sin and guilt. Adam’s sin became his posterity sin and so did the judgment and condemnation. However, the acceptance of Christ has become the way of escape from the judgment and condemnation and bliss became the property of the faithful. So, we can say that if we are in Adam, we are under the reign of death, but if we are in Christ, we will reign in life, because Christ’s gift is greater than Adam’s sin.
Discussion:
1. Compare the Sin of Adam and COVID-19 affecting humanity.
2. Compare the Redemption available through Christ with vaccination for individuals.
3. How eternity is fixed?
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