Just as through one man sin entered into the world, and
WEEK 6
REFLECTING ON THE POWER OF
ONE
ROMANS 5:12-21
Just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, so death spread to all men, because all sinned—for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.
But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification. For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.
So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of
righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
DEAR HEAVENLY FATHER, You are
faithful and true, holy and righteous, yet full of grace and compassion—the Most High God. We are wretched, sinful, fallen creatures, utterly unworthy of Your favor. Yet You sent Your own beloved Son to do for us what Adam failed to do:
to fulfill the law perfectly; to die in our place; to redeem us from our hopeless state—
to lift us up from Adam's fall. In Adam we were spiritually dead and headed for eternal condemnation;
in Christ we are made alive eternally.1
As by Adam, sin entered the world, and death by sin, even so by Christ
we receive Your grace, forgiveness, righteousness, and eternal life. Christ did everything Adam ought to have done, and more—
elevating us to a state of justification and divine favor
no mere creature could ever hope to merit. Our guilt was imputed to Him, and He atoned for it;
likewise, His perfect righteousness is imputed to us,
and we are rewarded for it. We stand before You now as Your own adopted children,
joint heirs with Christ.2
There are no words adequate to express our wonder and thankfulness
for so great salvation.
We come to You in the name of Christ,
the perfect mediator between God and men— fully human, yet eternally God. Your Word teaches us that although He always existed in the form of God,
He did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped. For our sake He made Himself nothing, becoming truly and fully human,3
so He could reverse the failure of Adam and be the head
of a new, redeemed race. Since we are made of flesh and blood,
Christ Himself also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,
and thus become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation
for the sins of His people.4
Now He is our true Head and High Priest—
One who can sympathize with our weakness.5
For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered,
He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.6
We thank You, dear Father, that as sin formerly reigned over us,
now grace reigns through Jesus Christ. Divine grace has transformed us. We have been taken out of the curse brought
upon us through the sin of Adam, and we have been placed under Your blessing through Christ. That is why we worship You and seek to live lives that honor You.
Be pleased, Lord, as we offer You this prayer of thanksgiving
for the gifts of forgiveness, justification, righteousness, salvation, and eternal life, which come in Jesus Christ. Amen.
1. 1 Corinthians 15:22 2. Romans 8:17 3. Philippians 2:6-7 4. Hebrews 2:14-17 5. Hebrews 4:15 6. Hebrews 2:18