The Gift Of God
Therefore, just as sin
entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death
came to all people, because all sinned —
To
be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against
anyone’s account where there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time
of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who
is a pattern of the one to come.
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! Nor can the gift of God be compared
with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought
condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification.
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!
Consequently,
just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one
righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. 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.
The
law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin
increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might
reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans
5:12-21
Some people avoid going
to church because they don’t want to know what is wrong with them. Some people
don’t go to their doctors for the same reason. Just because you ignore
something doesn’t make the problem go away. Roman law is considered to be the
source of the idea that ignorance of the law is no excuse. When God gave the
law to
None of us can achieve
the righteousness of Christ, but thankfully we don’t have to. He shares His
righteousness with us. The good news about finding out what’s wrong with us is
that the Great Physician can make us well.
God is the
Measurer and Healer of our spiritual health.
Our Daily Bread –