But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) Romans 5:15-17
If you die, you can’t cheat death; your life is over. If someone else dies, your emotions are overwhelmed with sorrow, anger, and regret. Likewise, with spiritual death, you can’t stop sinning nor reconcile with Jesus and are doomed to eternal death. This sin, resulting in death, is in your nature because you inherited it from Adam. One man’s sin caused the whole world to be overcome with death and evil, but even when all seemed hopeless, one Man made a way so that we could have life!
Just as today’s verse says, death caused many to die and receive condemnation, a broken and unfixable relationship with God. However, Jesus has given us His grace so that we don’t have to be overcome by sin. Our passage says, “much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ” (Verse 17). While sin will destroy us, God’s free gift will overwhelm us with His holiness and righteousness, being right with God. We don’t have to be subject to our wickedness anymore; we can find a life in Jesus Christ without sin because we are being forgiven by God’s gift of grace and eternal life. If by the sin of Adam, we are all damned, then by the grace of God, all of us that confess our sins to Jesus and repent are made alive, free, and justified.
As you start this new week, continue to examine yourself and recognize your faults; then recall what you just read: God’s grace is more than sufficient for your sin! Pray and thank God for His grace; then confess your sins to Him. He will give you the free gift of eternal life that is more powerful than your wickedness, no matter how serious!COMMITTING TO GOD’S GRACE AND LOVE,
Jeremiah Yonemura
