Romans 5:12-21

Romans 5:12-21Senior Pastor Alex KennedyLast week, while studying Rom 5:1-11, we saw that theology (justification) has tangible impacts on our lives. This includes peace with God and joy/hope in suffering.
As we continue on in verses 12-21, Paul shows how Adam's life sets up the gospel. Adam chose to reject God's authority and command to avoid the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Because of Adam's choice, death flows to all people. Even though we were not there with Adam, God considers Adam's choice to be ours. This is the Doctrine of Original Sin. Even though it doesn't feel "fair" to be lumped in with Adam, God knows we would have made the same choice.
In verse 13, Paul is not saying that the people who lived and died before the Mosaic Law never had any guilt of their own, because they had the law of God written on their heart (2:12-15). Instead, Paul is pointing out that guilt and responsibility have increased with the knowledge and awareness of the law. In other words, the law did not create sin in us; it just revealed it.
Both Adam and Jesus Christ are "heads" of the human race. Everyone is either "in Adam" or "in Christ". It is wonderful news that God deals with us through a representative head because Adam was a pattern of the One to come.
Verse 15 says "But the free gift is not like the trespass". The first Adam was selfish, but the Second Adam is sacrificial.
The results are opposite as well. Adam represents death and condemnation, while Christ brings life and justification!
We were condemned through the actions of a representative who did what any of us in his situation would have done; but now we are saved through a representative who did what none of us could have done. What Christ has done for us is not just to exchange death's kingdom for the kingdom of life, while leaving us in the position of subjects. Instead, He delivers us from the rule of death so radically as to enable us to change places with it and rule over it, or reign in life. We become those who reign, sharing the kingship of Christ, with even death under our feet now.
Verse 20 says, "Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more," Paul points out that when the formal law came through Moses, sin got more visible and it became worse, because now ignorance was no form of defense. He is teaching that the law proves that it is not a lack of knowledge which prevents us from obeying God and keeping His standards, but a lack of willingness and ability.
We do not need to put in more effort. We need a rescue.
At the cross, grace overwhelms sin and life triumphs over death. The first Adam is not the last word for humanity. The second Adam is!
Questions to Consider:

1. Why is it important to understand the Doctrine of Original Sin?
2. How have you seen sin bring brokenness to the world around you?
3. What did Jesus, the second Adam, do differently from Adam?
4. How does knowing that God's grace is greater than your sin impact your day-to-day life?

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