Romans 5:12-14

Passage

Therefore, because sin entered into the world through one man and death entered through sin, death also came into all mankind because all have sinned.  For sin was in the world up to when the Law came.  But sin is not counted where there is no law.  But death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over the ones who are not sinful in the same manner of transgression as Adam – who is a type of the one to come.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

In this passage we understand why death is a part of the world.  God did not create the world to experience death.  However, because we have free will and our nature is to choose sin in our self-centeredness, death comes to us.  Death is not by God’s design.  Rather, death is from human choice.  God’s original design for creation was for us to live forever in relationship with Him.  Because of our sin, that reality ceased to exist.

Have you ever thought deeply about the reality that when God created this world He created it with the desire that we live in relationship with Him forever?  How does this help you think about why Christ was important and necessary to restoring God’s original plan for relationship?

Second Thought:

Paul then says that where there is no law, sin is not counted against people.  However, certainly there was still sin.  Certainly people still died.  People died from Adam to the giving of the Law to Moses.  Even if sin wasn’t being counted, there was still the consequence of sin.  People die because we are sinful, whether we are conscious of the Law or not.  This demonstrates that all of us are a part of one collective.  We are all part of those who sin against God.  The fact that we all die is proof of our sinful condition.  It is proof that we all belong to Adam.  It is not the Law that condemns us.  It is our own sinful testimony against us from which our condemnation comes.

Where does the fault of our sinfulness really lie?  Is it fair to blame Adam?  Is it fair to blame God?  Who is ultimately responsible for my sin?  For your sin?

Third Thought:

Paul then speaks about Adam as being a type of those who come.  After all, there are many ways to be disobedient to God.  Adam ate fruit that He was not supposed to eat.  He lied about it and tried to hide it from God.  Others hide murder and lust and anger and selfishness in their hearts.  There are many ways to disobey God.  But each and every manner of disobedience before God leads to destruction.

Do you think that there is an end to the many ways that human beings can rebel against God? 

Passage for Tomorrow: Romans 5:15-17