Daily Bread 2011 - Romans 5
Daily Bread 2011 – Romans 5
15 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! 16 Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 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.18 Consequently, 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. 19 For 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. 20 The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
What Does This Mean?
Paul continues to explain the nature of sin and the effect of the Law in increasing our propensity to sin. Even though the power sin increased when Adam chose to disobey God’s command, His grace increased even more through Jesus’ obedience to God’s plan. Although all who have been born are born with a sinful nature and an increasing bent toward disobedience; all have been given the gift of God’s grace and righteousness (right standing or peace with God) because of one man’s obedience.
By God’s sovereign plan although sin reigned in death, for the wages of sin is death; grace rules through God’s gift of His Son. God’s grace is always greater than our sin. While we often see the effect of our sin in this life, we can be assured that God’s grace rules over the power of sin. Therefore no matter how desperate we see things get, God grace can overcome anything in this world. Grace rules!
What Does This Mean For Us?
Rules don’t have any power to change a human life. They can contain human behavior for a while if the consequences are strong enough but they don’t have any transformative effect. But grace can change a human life, but it changes the human heart. As we experience the peace of God through Christ, God’s grace is poured out into our lives. The effect is we cannot help but be grateful and want to respond to give thanks for what Jesus has done through his obedience to God’s plan.
When we realize that we will spend eternal life with God because of the life of this one man, we can offer our lives as a living sacrifice giving thanks and giving our lives for others. As Paul explains at the beginning of the chapter we can even rejoice in our suffering realizing that our suffering is producing character and preparing us for our eternal destiny. Most of through the Spirit we are given hope so that no matter how bad a situation can get we know this world is not our home!
Dear Jesus, thank you for offering your life for us to reverse the act of one man, Adam; so that we could be set free to live a life of love and service. We know even in our trials that you are preparing us for our eternal destination to be with you the one who has made it all possible. Amen.
15 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! 16 Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 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.18 Consequently, 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. 19 For 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. 20 The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
What Does This Mean?
Paul continues to explain the nature of sin and the effect of the Law in increasing our propensity to sin. Even though the power sin increased when Adam chose to disobey God’s command, His grace increased even more through Jesus’ obedience to God’s plan. Although all who have been born are born with a sinful nature and an increasing bent toward disobedience; all have been given the gift of God’s grace and righteousness (right standing or peace with God) because of one man’s obedience.
By God’s sovereign plan although sin reigned in death, for the wages of sin is death; grace rules through God’s gift of His Son. God’s grace is always greater than our sin. While we often see the effect of our sin in this life, we can be assured that God’s grace rules over the power of sin. Therefore no matter how desperate we see things get, God grace can overcome anything in this world. Grace rules!
What Does This Mean For Us?
Rules don’t have any power to change a human life. They can contain human behavior for a while if the consequences are strong enough but they don’t have any transformative effect. But grace can change a human life, but it changes the human heart. As we experience the peace of God through Christ, God’s grace is poured out into our lives. The effect is we cannot help but be grateful and want to respond to give thanks for what Jesus has done through his obedience to God’s plan.
When we realize that we will spend eternal life with God because of the life of this one man, we can offer our lives as a living sacrifice giving thanks and giving our lives for others. As Paul explains at the beginning of the chapter we can even rejoice in our suffering realizing that our suffering is producing character and preparing us for our eternal destiny. Most of through the Spirit we are given hope so that no matter how bad a situation can get we know this world is not our home!
Dear Jesus, thank you for offering your life for us to reverse the act of one man, Adam; so that we could be set free to live a life of love and service. We know even in our trials that you are preparing us for our eternal destination to be with you the one who has made it all possible. Amen.
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