“But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!”
After doctors diagnose the disease, the next task is to consider the prognosis. Will it get better? Will it take time? Will it be fatal? Will there be ongoing problems because of the disease?
The Bible has a clear prognosis of man’s disease. Sin is a terminal disease. Adam and Eve did not die until years later after they started a family. Adam and Eve were excluded from the Garden of Eden and death occurred to an animal for skins to cover their nakedness. The major consequence for sin was not immediate physical death, but spiritual death. Sin separates us from the Lord. You may be physically alive, but you are spiritually dead in trespasses and sin until you receive a new spiritual life from God.
Romans 8:20-23 says, “…creation was subjected to futility… For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains until now. And [we] also groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.”
There is good news if the doctor can come up with a treatment plan and informs you there is a cure. God has provided a cure by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to save us.
Romans 5:17 “For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!”
We are born into sin. It is in Adam and because of his one act that we are judged. It is in Adam that the disease is spread to all. It is in Christ that the cure is given to all who believe. This is not a question, but an affirmation. How much more will we receive the blessings of abundant grace! The contrasting words between Adam and Christ we see in vs. 15, 16, 17 is MUCH MORE. Far greater is Jesus over Adam.
One man’s offense is contrasted with the one man’s free gift. Verse 16 contrasts Adam’s act bringing condemnation with Jesus’ act bringing justification. If you think the disease is bad, let me tell you how much more the cure is a blessing over the curse. It is worth far more. It is wonderful news. It is exactly what the world needs. It doesn’t just bring us health; it brings us eternal life.
Forgiveness is different from justification. Yes, God forgave us. We can thank God that He does not bring it up again. Hebrews 8:12 says, “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” But He did more than that. He justified us. That means He erased our records. In God’s eyes, we are not ex-convicts or ex-sinners. He declared us righteous. In Christ all your sins have been erased, eradicated, removed from the record.
That is the thing that Jesus’ death on the cross does for you who believe in Him.
"Whoever does not believe is condemned", but in Romans 8:1 "There is now therefore no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus."
Because of Christ, you no longer need to fear death. The curse brought death. The cure brought life.
Philippians 1:6 assures us, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” God declared us holy and He makes us holy. He gave us a fresh, new start, and He is with us making us holy every step of the way.
Prayer: Father, I pray Your word back to You that You will work in me to complete the good work You have begun. Thank You for removing our sins as far as the east is from the west; that You remember them no more.
Dale
