January 13, 2014
GRACE . . . GOD'S GREATEST GIFT GETS GREATER
Romans 5:12-21
Ron Smith
Central Truth
Grace is exceedingly more powerful than sin because the one righteous act of Christ far surpasses all the sinful acts of all men. Through faith in Jesus' atonement on the cross, we become children of God and live for Him. Death no longer reigns, but Christ reigns in us.
Key Verse | Romans 5:17–18
For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. (Romans 5:17-18)
Romans 5:12-21
Death in Adam, Life in Christ
12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men 1 5:12 The Greek word anthropoi refers here to both men and women; also twice in verse 18 because all sinned— 13 for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. 14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.
15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. 16 And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. 17 For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
18 Therefore, as one trespass 2 5:18 Or the trespass of one led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness 3 5:18 Or the act of righteousness of one leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. 20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Dive Deeper | Romans 5:12-21
Just as Adam's choice to rebel against God separated man from God and brought sin and death to all men, choices I've made impacted my family -- and still affect them -- in the most devastating ways. Regrettably, I can't change the past; neither can my sons take back what I lost for them. I acted on my own authority and for my immediate benefit, not seeing the long-term consequences until too late after the fact.
Jesus Christ chose to serve God every moment of His life, even to His death, through horrendous pain and ultimate shame. His righteous act of atonement was immeasurably greater than all the acts of all men because it reconciled mankind to God, which had before been impossible to achieve. This gift of restoration with God was given to me the moment I believed in Him. I am not perfect yet, and when the Holy Spirit reveals my imperfections using the Law of Moses as a measuring stick, I can repent of those sins and receive the gift of abundant grace, through which comes mercy and forgiveness.
When I choose to follow God, long-term positive results are set in motion, both in heaven and here on earth. In the short term, nothing is more satisfying than doing the job right. Seeing the immediate effects from loving others and sharing what God gives me for the benefit of those in need is worth every small inconvenience compared to Christ's sacrifice for me. My struggle is allowing the Holy Spirit to work through me for God's glory, not caring what it costs. It is my job, and I do love it so.
Discussion Questions
1. What is that last stronghold, that "little" sin that, once repented and given up, would unlock the vast riches of God's blessings to you? (Romans 5:18)
2. Is every decision we make a matter of life or death? (Romans 5:16)
3. Is making amends to those who were harmed by your past actions necessary? (Romans 5:19)
4. How do you use God's resources to further or hinder the Kingdom of God?