The Good News of God Series
By Greg Johnson
October 15, 2006
http://www.LovingGodFellowship.org
Romans 5:12-21
God’s Word says (Romans 5:12-21 NIV) "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."
In this passage in Romans we see a vivid picture of what God sees when He looks at the world. There are those that are dead in Adam and there are those that are alive in Christ. Where does God find you today?
DEAD IN ADAM
Genesis, the first book of the Bible, tells us how that God created man to spend eternity with Him. Adam was the first man and sin entered into the world through him. Sin is disobedience to God’s Word. God’s word tells us that (Romans 6:23 NIV) “the wages of sin is death.” The penalty of sin is death.
God told Adam that he could eat of any of the vegetation that He created except of one tree. (Genesis 2:16-17 NIV) "And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; {17} but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."" Satan tempted Adam and Eve to disobey God’s Word. They ate of the tree that God told them not to eat. They disobeyed God’s Word. They sinned against God.
That first sin brought death into the world. Spiritual death and physical death. Man was separated from God because of their sin and they were destined to return to the dust of the earth for God said as part of the curse (Genesis 3:19 NIV) "By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return."" Physical death entered into the world as a result of Adam.
ALIVE IN CHRIST
Revelation, the last book of the Bible, tells us how Jesus will restore God’s original intent in creating man. Jesus will establish the new heavens and earth where those found in Him will spend eternity with God. Jesus came to this earth to do something about our sin problem; to save us from death and give us the free gift of eternal life. God’s Word says (Romans 6:23 NIV) “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
(John 3:16 NIV) "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Jesus took our sins upon Him and died on the cross so that we may have eternal life. Jesus took our guilt and our punishment so that we can be declared righteous by a Holy God. We are justified by faith in what Jesus accomplished at the cross.
Three days after the death of Jesus, He came out of the tomb conquering death, hell and the grave. In His resurrection we are given life; eternal life. Death has been conquered!
Adam brought death through disobedience to God. Jesus brought eternal life through obedience to God. Adam came into a sinless world and sinned. Jesus came into a sinful world and overcame sin. Adam gave into temptation and stepped out of the will of God. Jesus overcame temptation and stayed in the will of God. Adam was self willed. Jesus was God willed.
WHERE ARE YOU?
Every person that has breath today finds their self either in Adam or in Christ. The question that is relevant to you today is where are you? Are you in Adam or are you in Christ? If you are in Adam, you are already dead in your trespasses and sins. If you are in Christ, you have been given the free gift of eternal life.
How do you move from being in Adam to being in Christ? How do you pass from darkness to light? How do you move from death to life? You make Jesus your Lord and your Savior. Be fully persuaded in what Jesus did for you at the cross and ask Him to come into your heart. You don’t have to join a church. You just submit yourself to the Lordship of Christ. Let Jesus reign in your life instead of sin. Jesus will help you. Jesus will impart His life to you as you follow Him. Ask Jesus to come into your heart today. Jesus is knocking and He wants to come in. Jesus says (Revelation 3:20 NIV) "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." The best way you know how, ask Him to come into your heart today. Serve Him with everything you have. He will take you on a wonderful journey from earth to glory!
