November 25, 2008

Adam and Christ Alike but Different

“And not only [that], but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—— (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. But the free gift [is] not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. And the gift [is] not like [that which came] through the one who sinned. For the judgment [which came] from one [offense resulted] in condemnation, but the free gift [which came] from many offenses [resulted] in justification. For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) Therefore, as through one man’s offense [judgment] came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act [the free gift came] to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:11-21 NKJV)

Believers rejoice in God through Jesus Christ by whom they received reconciliation. Adam and Christ are alike in that their actions brought change to all of humanity. They are very different in what they brought.

Sin entered the world through one man, Adam. That sin brought spiritual death to everyone. Even when the law was not present to impute sin, death reigned. The evidence of sin’s destruction is seen in the death of all from Adam to Moses. Adam the beginning of the human race and Moses the patriarch to whom the law was given.

However, Christ brought life. This life is available to whoever calls upon the name of the Lord. What about those who lived before Christ, were they not saved? Yes, many were saved by faith just like today, but their sins were passed over until Christ’s death burial and resurrection.

“being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth [as] a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” (Romans 3:24-26 NKJV)

Therefore, this free gift came into the world at a specific time. It came by grace and it reigns through righteousness to eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Is grace reigning in your life? Remember it reigns through righteousness. Faith has the element of obedience as well as the idea of trust. Believers trust to the point of obedience.

Praise God that it doesn’t require perfect obedience in us. It did require perfect obedience in our Lord, which He provided as He laid down His life freely. Let ever believer strive to walk in perfect holiness to bring glory to our precious Savior. Amen