The
Grace Of One Man, Jesus Christ
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
Our spiritual lives are
not free. Jesus Christ paid the price of our sin. Some struggle to accept
salvation as a gift. They want to do something to try and earn it. The problem
is, no one can afford it. The price of salvation is
perfection. Jesus Christ is the only person who can pay that price, and has.
Some people think good
deeds and charitable donations will get them into heaven. Although these forms
of spiritual service are valued by God, they are not what God requires for the
forgiveness of our sin. Jesus Christ already paid the price by dying in our
place, and He offers to quench our spiritual thirst when we drink freely from
God’s fountain that will never run dry.
Jesus
is the only fountain who can satisfy the thirsty soul.
Our
Daily Bread – March 31, 2014