“For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous… That as sin has reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord” (vs19, 21).
Three things are set forth in Rom 5:12-21 with clarity and power:
1. God declares us sinful in the sin of Adam - “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all sinned“ (vs12)
2. The Lord Jesus is the One who obeyed God, and all that believe on Him are justified for life (vs19)
3. Grace is how God saves: not of us; it is free (vs21).
The Lord of glory declares us sinful in the fall of Adam, in whom “all have sinned”. He says that when Adam fell, you and I rebelled against God, and his sin is our sin, for we wouldn’t die, even babies, if we were not sinners - “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 them that had not sinned after the likeness of Adam‘s transgression, who is the type of him that was to come“ (vs13-14).
The Son came into the world to obey God. You and I could do nothing, but He gave up His life, obeying unto death, and by faith in His blood, we are justified for God’s blessings (vs17). We live in the obedience of One, inheriting eternal life FREELY.
It is not Christ and our obedience. Someone asked what I was studying… what was the main point… and I responded, “The obedience of One Man justifies us, even as the sin of one man (Adam) made us to be sinners. We are saved by faith in Christ, the Obedient or Just One”. They said, “It looks like I have some trusting to do”. I hope they will see that it is FAITH in Christ who obeyed already, so that faith is ceasing from self-confidence and putting your salvation and hope upon the perfect obedience of Christ, which by God’s grace, will not let you down.
Thirdly, grace is astonishing in the text, because we did nothing (vs20-21). We are sinners, and Christ DIED for us. We can’t earn God’s blessings, and He gives it to us freely, causing us to believe God.
We don’t DO anything; we RECEIVE so freely through what Christ has done, and in His obedience, heaven and every blessing is ours. We don’t deserve, but He gives it to glorify God’s graciousness to sinners, even to all who believe.
Lastly, “whosoever will”, let him take the water of life freely. Receive abundance of grace, count God righteous to bless you by Christ’s death on the cross, and don’t doubt the FREENESS of the gift. It glorifies God that His Son put away your sins and answered all justice, and He is glorified to give salvation to sinners who believe Him gracious enough to do it!
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