Romans 5:18-21

Passage

Consequently, as through one trespass the condemnation is into all mankind, thus through one righteous deed justification of life is into all mankind.  For just as through the disobedience of one man many were being made sinners, thus through the obedience of one man the many will be made righteous.  And the Law slipped in unnoticed in order that the trespass grew.  But where sin grew, grace grew in excess over what is expected in order that just as sin reigned in death so also grace should reign through righteousness into eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Again we hear Paul reinforcing the point that one man’s actions can indeed change the world.  If sin entered the world through Adam – and continues to spread like a plague through each of us – then righteousness should be also able to enter through a righteous Adam, Jesus Christ, and likewise spread through us.  Many people ask how it is that a single person’s death on a cross two millennia ago can make a difference in my life.  The answer is this logic.  If sin can enter through the very nature of Adam and spread to all who are like him, then righteousness can enter through Christ and spread to all who are like Him.

Have you ever wondered how it is that one death could cover the sins of all and be effective in life?  How does Romans 5 speak to this issue?

Second Thought:

Paul says that the Law slipped in unnoticed.  This doesn’t mean that the Law “sneaked in.”  Rather, it means that the Law is a subset to a bigger plan.  The presence of the Law didn’t change anything or propel anything forward.  At best, the Law focuses things.  For example, Adam and Eve received grace when they should have received condemnation.  After all, they were merely kicked out of Eden and were allowed to live.  Noah and his family received grace on the Ark and were permitted to live – even though they surely had sin in their lives.  Abraham received grace in a personal relationship with God even though he surely had sin in his life.  God has always been a God of grace.  Christ was always God’s plan to resolve our problem through grace.  So when the Law comes on the scene it doesn’t change anything.  Rather, the Law helps us understand why we need grace.  The Law is the mirror into which we look and realize just how much we need grace through Jesus Christ.

Have you ever thought about how much God’s grace reigned from the beginning and was the plan all along?  Why do we often think of grace just as a New Testament concept?  Do you see how the Law doesn’t change anything but merely give us a lens through which we can look?

Third Thought:

Paul tells us that where sin grew, grace grows even more than expected.  Through the Law, we can see ourselves as truly sinful.  But God’s response is to give us more grace.  He could easily have said, “See?  This is why you were condemned.”  He could have acted in grace and allowed us to be saved, but saved into some third-class heavenly being below Himself and all the angels.  But this is not what God does.  God saves us and through Christ allows us to become His children – heirs to His kingdom!  God’s love for us is greater than we deserve and greater than we can imagine!

Where does God’s love abound in your life?

Passage for Tomorrow: Romans 6:1-4