In The Word
Read: Romans 5:12-21
12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all mankind, because all sinned— 13 for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not counted against anyone when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the violation committed by Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.
15 But the gracious gift is not like the offense. For if by the offense of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many. 16 The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one offense, resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the gracious gift arose from many offenses, resulting in justification. 17 For if by the offense of the one, death reigned through the one, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.
18 So then, as through one offense the result was condemnation to all mankind, so also through one act of righteousness the result was justification of life to all mankind. 19 For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. 20 The Law came in so that the offense would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, so also grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
Today’s reading contrasts two men, Adam and Jesus. Both men were given specific instructions by God, and the decision each man made had significant consequences for mankind. Adam chose to disobey God’s command and was banished from the Garden of Eden. Because every person is a descendant of Adam, we were all born into sin and our nature is to sin. And the consequence is the same for all men: natural death of the body and spiritual death from the wrath of God.
Jesus chose to obey God, and this is the benefit for every person who chooses to put his faith and hope in Jesus: his sins are forgiven, the curse of Adam is broken, and he has a relationship with God that will last into eternity. It is interesting that both men were in gardens, Adam in Eden and Jesus in Gethsemane, when they made their decisions that would impact mankind for eternity.
Just like Adam and Jesus, you have a choice. Will you choose Adam‘s path of disobedience to God’s biblical teaching and commands, or Jesus’ path of obedience? Because of Jesus, you do not have to choose to sin. Just because Adam sinned, you are not bound to sin once you have accepted Jesus as your savior, because He places the Holy Spirit inside of you to give you His power to say ‘No’ to sin. Choose well as your actions will have direct consequences for you and those around you.