Romans - Week 11

When Adam Sinned

READ

Romans 5:12-13

12 When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. 13 Yes, people sinned even before the law was given. But it was not counted as sin because there was not yet any law to break.

When Adam sinned, he poisoned the life stream of humanity. As the head of the human race, all of Adam’s descendants inherited his sin nature. As a result, all die because all have sinned. None can escape this penalty of sin. Yet Jesus died to pay the penalty for mankind so that all who trust in Him do not have to pay the penalty themselves. Verse 13 distinguishes between “sin” in general and a “transgression” in particular. Before the law was given people sinned but it wasn’t considered “going across” or “transgressing” a particular law. Regardless of the way it was considered, all sinned.

REFLECT

Consider how grateful you should be that Jesus paid the penalty for your sin by His sacrifice on the cross. Think on that.

RESPOND

Pray with your disciple about being more effective in letting others know Jesus has paid the penalty for their sin. As with a pardon, however, it must be accepted to be valid. Pray about how you can be used of the Holy Spirit as you urge others to trust in Jesus as Savior.

Adam's Sin and God's Gift

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Romans 5:14-15

14 Still, everyone died—from the time of Adam to the time of Moses—even those who did not disobey an explicit commandment of God, as Adam did. Now Adam is a symbol, a representation of Christ, who was yet to come. 15 But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ.

Paul contrasts the disobedience of Adam with the obedience of Jesus. Adam’s sin brought death to many because all have sinned. God’s gift of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus, however, brought forgiveness to many. Adam’s sin brought both physical and spiritual death; Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross brought spiritual life to all who will receive Him as Savior. As recorded in John 11:25, Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.”

REFLECT

Have you placed your faith in Jesus as your Savior? If so, after your physical body dies you will be more alive than ever. You will be in eternity with Jesus.

RESPOND

Talk with your disciple to make sure that his or her trust is in Jesus for salvation and not in good works, such as religious rituals or church attendance.

Triumph Over Sin and Death

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Romans 5:16-17

16 And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. 17 For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.

Now Paul contrasts the results of Adam’s disobedience with Jesus’ obedience. Adam’s sin brought condemnation; Jesus’ sacrifice brought the possibility of being made right with God by trusting in Jesus. There was no choice for Adam’s descendants as they inherited his sin. There is a choice they can make, however, to deliver them from their condemnation. It is by accepting God’s gift of righteousness by receiving Christ as Savior. This enables any of Adam’s descendants to “triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.”

REFLECT

Ponder the condemnation you are under because of being a descendant of Adam. Think then of God’s wonderful grace that allows you to escape that condemnation.

RESPOND

Read passages that clearly tell others how to avoid condemnation. See John 3:16-18 and 3:36. As you share these verses you can assure others these are not your thoughts but God’s.

Because One Obeyed

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Romans 5:18-19

18 Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. 19 Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.

Paul continues to contrast Adam’s sin that brought condemnation for all with Christ’s sacrifice on the cross that brought righteousness for all who will believe. Adam disobeyed God whereas Jesus obeyed Him. This indicates a choice was involved for both. Adam chose to go his own way and plunged mankind into condemnation. Jesus chose to go God’s way and provided righteousness for all who believe.

REFLECT

Adam and Jesus both made choices. Think about the choices you have to make in order to please God in what you do.

RESPOND

Go to the Old Testament to read about a man of God who told the Israelites they had to make a choice. The passage is Joshua 24:15. Read this verse and ask God to give you the boldness to give such a testimony yourself.

Right Standing With God

READ

Romans 5:20-21

20 God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. 21 So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The Jewish people put their confidence on the Mosaic law for becoming right with God. Now Paul, a converted Pharisee, is telling them that the law only revealed how sinful they were. In contrast to the sinning the people continued to do, God’s grace was even more evident to them. Now the good news is that instead of sin bringing them to death, God’s grace will bring them to eternal life through Jesus Christ.

REFLECT

If you have tried to live by a list of do’s and don’t, have you had spiritual victory or defeat?

RESPOND

Talk with your disciple and dwell on the blessing of having God’s grace that has provided salvation through Jesus. Stress that we do good works to express our gratitude to Jesus, not to make us right with God. Read Ephesians 2:10 that tells us what to do after being saved by grace through faith.