QT 11/11/2024 Rom 5:12-16, The trespass and the gift have similarities

Romans 5:12–16 (ESV) —

12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— 13 for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. 14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.

15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. 16 And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification.

 

NOTE: There are a few ways to view verses 12-14, I think the most consistent manner, is that Adam sinned; he passed on the sin nature to us; our flesh was too weak to resist and consequently every person sinned. Theoretically, it might be possible to not sin, but the bible makes it clear, everyone has sinned.

 

Verses 15-16 are similar and yet different. The second Adam, Jesus, resisted sin and lived sinless. Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection offers justification to all men. But unlike the trespass, the second Adam's work is a gift that must be received. There is an action required, believe and receive. One could argue that the two actions are the same, since Adam's actions required us to follow in his steps by sinning, which wasn't hard. And it isn't hard to accept a gift too. But unfortunately, all received condemnation because of the trespass and then our trespass, but not all will receive forgiveness because not all will accept the gift.

 

PONDER:

1. Have I received the gift? Have I chosen to believe?
2. Do I believe what the bible says about me, that I am a sinner deserving condemnation?

 

PRAYER: Father, thank you for touching my heart with the gospel. I believed and received the Son into my life. My life is so much different today because of that decision when I was at college. Thank you.