“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.”

A teen named Jack, had chores to do at his home. It was hard work. While he was chopping wood one day, he thought of the passage in the Bible that said part of the curse of Adam was mankind had to toil and work by the sweat of his brow. He complained to his father that because Adam ate the fruit, yet he had to experience the consequences of his sin and he didn’t like it.  It wasn’t fair. He continued to complain the next day that it just wasn’t fair to suffer for Adam’s sin.

The following day his father said, “Well you can stay in the house and not have to chop wood. You can eat my food and drink.  There’s only one condition. I put a box on top of the mantel, and you must not open it.”           

The son was very pleased. After gorging himself with a sumptuous meal, he saw the box. It was just an ordinary looking box. He shook it. But it was light and seemed to be empty. It was sealed. He got so curious that he eventually opened it. He saw a letter. It read: “Dear Jack. See? Don’t you ever blame Adam again! If you were in his place, you would do the same thing. Go chop more wood!”

In Romans 5 Paul addresses the problem of original sin. As he continues to illustrate the benefits of justification by comparing and contrasting the work of Jesus with the act of Adam. They were the only two men on earth who were perfect. Adam was created being perfect. He was the man of the earth. As the son of God, Jesus was the man from heaven who was also prefect. Adam is a type of Christ. What does "type" mean? The NIV says "pattern." Adam was a pattern of Christ who was to come. He was an example, or a foreshadowing, or a prefiguring of Christ.

Sometimes when we want to understand something better, we compare it with something else. For example, if you come to my house and I say, "Look at my dogs. Sox follows more the traits of a Labrador Retriever while Sadie identifies more with a Newfoundland breed. Both are black, but you would never confuse them. Sox is 60 pounds; Sadie is more than twice her size at 130 pounds. Sox has a coat that is shorter, dense, and water-resistant double coat in black. Sadie requires more brushing and sheds more. Sox is high energy and is a better runner. Sadie is more calm, laid-back, and relatively lazy around the house; She is happy with long, relaxed walks or swims rather than intense running. She can be more stubborn. Her breed is often called the "nanny dog" because of its supreme patience, gentleness, and protective affinity for children of all sizes.

You might say, "Well, Sox is definitely smaller and is much friskier. She is quicker to do tricks for treats.

Sadie wants attention and when she paws, you are not aware of her strength and can leave bruises. You try to avoid getting pawed. You notice new things about each dog when you live with them. Sox can tell when someone is driving up the driveway she starts barking quickly. Sadie thinks you have come just to see her.

The Apostle Paul compares and contrasts Adam and Jesus to help us better understand the benefit of justification by the faith in which we delight. We compare Adam and sin coming into the world with Jesus’ coming who is without sin. One brought death into the world. Jesus brought eternal life. The good news is that this life is offered to all who believe and receive Him.

Prayer:  Father, help me to remember that "all have sinned".   I too am a sinner in need of grace.   Let Your grace work in me to do all that you call me to do.   I love You Lord Jesus.  Thank you for redeeming my soul and my life to Your Glory

Dale