When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. Yes, people sinned even before the law was given. But it was not counted as sin because there was not yet any law to break. Still, everyone died—from the time of Adam to the time of Moses—even those who did not disobey an explicit commandment of God, as Adam did. Now Adam is a symbol, a representation of Christ, who was yet to come. But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:12-17 NLT
Why do people die? Because sin is in the world and God is putting sin to death. That is the righteousness of God.
How do people live forever? By believing in Jesus Christ, the One who cannot die. He is sinless perfection in the flesh, and He willfully gave up His life as an atoning sacrifice once and for all to redeem all of sinful humanity from the pit. That is the love and grace and mercy of God.
Too often, we think that somehow we’re different or separate from everyone else. That’s called pride. Pride precedes a fall. We all fell in Adam. His pride allowed him to disobey God’s explicit commandment to him. His pride said I know better than God what’s right for me. That’s a dangerous place to be. It leads to death.
Jesus made a way where there was no way. He continues to do that today. There’s no way out of this world without dying because of the sin of humanity. We are under the curse of death because of Adam’s sin. What do we have to look forward to? Death and judgment.
Sometimes, God cuts the life of His saints short to protect them from suffering. Jesus suffered and died as a young man and yet He lives forever in glory. What will be the outcome for us? God only knows, so you best be on your best behavior.
We have all sinned. Even one sin is enough to warrant the death penalty because God is holy and cannot have any fellowship with darkness. Without Jesus, there is no hope for humanity. So quit trying to place your hope and trust in things or people that are not Jesus Christ Himself.
Only Jesus will satisfy that existential ache in your soul for meaning and belonging. Only Jesus will supply you with eternal life by His loving sacrifice done in obedience to the Father’s will. The Father loves us. He sent Jesus so that we can be reconciled back to God. Without His sacrifice, never would we be able to escape the coming wrath of God that annihilates sin forever.
Jesus is enough. If you have Jesus, you have everything you need. You don’t need to look for peace, rest and comfort in anything else. Do you have Jesus? Is the Holy Spirit of God animating your body? Or are you estranged from the lover of your soul?
The enemy hates your soul. He wants to crush and kill it. God loves you soul, He wants to save and heal it. Give God a chance to do what only He can do. Be patient and rest in the knowledge that Jesus Christ is God’s gracious gift to humanity. Everyone who calls on Him as Lord will not perish but have eternal life.
Come to Jesus and live.
Lord God, forgive me of my sins. I believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God who takes away the sins of the world. Nothing but the blood of Jesus can make me whole again. Thank You for Your sacrifice, Lord. Thank You for laying down Your life to rescue us. I choose to lay down my life to rescue others by sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ wherever You may lead me. To live is Christ. To die is gain. May I be faithful and obedient to Your call on my life. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.
Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.
God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 5:18-21 NLT