Scripture:

Romans 5:

18Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. 19For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

Observation:

Verses 12-17 can pretty much be summed up by these three comparisons.  It’s the one man Adam vs. the one man Jesus.

Sin in Adam - Righteousness in Christ
Condemnation in Adam - Justification in Christ
Death in Adam - Life in Christ

Paul has made it quite clear that all men are sinners.  The good news however is that all men also have the potential to benefit from Jesus work on the cross.  We have a choice now.  Adam or Jesus?  Sin or righteousness?  Condemnation or justification?  Death or life?

Before we can even talk about growth by sanctification…which Paul will in the next couple of chapters (6-8),  the question of justification by faith must be answered.

I got a chance to talk to a guy who had come by and visited with me several months earlier.  To be honest I almost didn’t recognize him when I saw him again.  Our previous conversation quickly came back to me as he described where he was in his walk with Jesus.  He first came to me questioning if this Jesus thing was the real deal.  He had no reason not to follow Christ.  Because of his previous religious background and his impression of Christians he just wasn’t quite willing to make the leap of faith.  He described to me that not too long after our conversation he decided to jump and had become a Christ follower.  He had just reached a point where he recognized his need for a savior and didn’t want to put it off anymore.  I was thrilled.

He had moved from Adam to Christ.  And what a difference it was making in his life.  His desires were different.  He wanted to know how to be more consistent in devotion and scripture reading.  His sight was different.  He was beginning to see God at work in his life and others.  His heart was different.  Before he was indifferent to Jesus.  Now he was in love with his savior.

Application:

All because of one.  One act of righteousness.  One act of obedience.  One act of grace. 
One man.  One huge difference.  Jesus.

I wonder what God will now do with this one guy.

Take stock of your life since your decision to follow Christ.  What difference has he
made for you?

If you haven’t taken that leap…what is holding you back?

Prayer:

Ask Jesus by his Spirit to continue to mold you into the person he longs for you to be.  If you don’t know Christ…ask him to transform your life…Invite the savior in!

1. markseekins posted this