Adam's Sin And Jesus' Gift

Romans 5:12-21

“Why should I have to suffer for what someone else did?”  This is the lament of many a school child when the whole classroom has to stay in from recess when one student acted up.  It happens in many families, too, when one sibling misbehaves and the weekend outing is cancelled.  And there are some people who question God’s justice in punishing all of mankind for the sin of Adam.  As we look into this passage from Paul’s letter to the church in Rome we will see how one person’s actions can greatly affect many others.  How one man’s sin brought death upon all, and how one Man’s death would provide salvation for any who will accept it.

When Adam disobeyed God and ate of the fruit, back in Genesis 3, sin entered into the world (verse 12).  From that day forward everyone who would ever live would inherit a sin nature, and have a propensity or inclination to commit sin.   I remember so many years ago, when my son was just a toddler, and he committed his first act of wilful disobedience.  I shouldn't have been so shocked, but I remember thinking, “Where did that come from?  I didn't teach him that!”  This was his inherited sinful nature showing up. Sinful behavior does not have to be learned, it is the stain of original sin.

In addition to passing on original sin, the penalty of death was also passed on to all descendants of Adam.  There are three types of death, each brought on because of the sin of Adam.  First is our natural, physical death.  Secondly, there is spiritual death and separation from God.  Until we accept Jesus as our Savior and are born-again, we are spiritually separated from God.  That intimate connection that Adam and Eve had with God was severed, and man does not have that unless they are saved.  The third type of death is eternal death and separation from God in the Lake of Fire for all eternity.  Those who do not come to accept Jesus as their Savior will have this death.  These are the penalties of sin passed on through Adam.  The curse of death is passed on to all (verses 12-14).

God gave His people the Old Testament Law to help them see their sinfulness, and its seriousness (verses 13-14).  The purpose was to show them this, and hopefully drive them to turn to Him to receive His mercy and forgiveness.

This would be a pretty dismal place to end - sin, death, no hope.   But there is a hope.  Though the act of one man, Adam, brought this all about, the act of one other Man, Jesus, brings hope.  That act was the sacrificial death He suffered on the cross for our sins.  This was a free gift to us, and all we have to do is accept this.  Jesus’ act of redemption is so much greater than that of Adam’s act that brought condemnation, that it cancels the penalty for whosoever will accept it.  It is a free gift, but like any gift, it must be accepted to have any effect (verses 15-16).  Adam’s sin brought universal death to all, but Jesus’ sacrifice brought salvation to any who believe.  Only those who believe are saved.  When we do accept Jesus and His substitutionary death on our behalf, we will get His forgiveness in place of judgement, we get His righteousness in place of our sins, and we are accepted into His family.  Have you accepted this free gift from God, and accepted the Lord Jesus as your Savior?  If not, I pray that today will be the day that you will ask Him into your heart, and become one of the family.