This is the message of Romans 5:12-21. Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned-- {13} for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law. {14} 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 was a pattern of the one to come. {15} 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! {16} Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man's sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. {17} 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. {18} Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. {19} 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. {20} The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, {21} so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Paul is saying, in this powerful passage of scripture, that though our lives have been ruined by sin, we have been rescued by grace.
Let's examine three aspects of how God's grace works in our lives.
Anyone who makes an effort to live a clean life quickly realizes that sin is a problem. It's a nuisance. It will not go away. It is true that we always sin by choice. It is also true that sin sinks its claws deep into our character, and becomes our master. On our own, we are helpless. Sin utterly destroys lives through: its presence, through its power, through the penalty we ultimately pay.
In this passage, Paul proclaims that God's grace eliminates sin.
Paul says those who receive God's abundant provision of grace also receive the gift of righteousness. Paul promises that sin will not have dominion over you, it has lost its power.
I cannot count the number of times I have talked to someone about their relationship with God and they say words to the effect: "I'm not a bad person, I mean, I've never killed anybody." If you steal money, of course that is wrong, but it can be paid back.. If you were to fight someone and break their arm, that would be wrong, but the injury would heal.
Murder is permanent. But it can be forgiven God's grace is powerful enough to forgive any sin. Paul is serious when he says that there is nothing that God's grace can't erase. Verse 17 tells us that we have all the forgiveness available to us that we will ever need. God has given us an abundant provision.
There is no amount of sin that can overpower God's grace. In Romans 8, Paul says that he is convinced that nothing can separate us from God's presence. As much as we need, God offers forgiveness to us.
It is available in an endless supply.
Romans 6:14 - We cannot achieve all that God intends for us to achieve on a limited supply of resources, so He freely and generously gives us all the strength we could ever possibly need.
Paul speaks with assurance... Philippians 4:13. I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.
There is no limit to God's grace and mercy in our lives. Forgiveness, righteousness, and strength are available to us in an endless supply.
v. 21...so grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
We experience the corruption of sin and spiritual death. But there is nothing that God's grace cannot erase We now have the opportunity to unite with Christ and experience life. We didn't have a choice regarding our physical nature. We do have a choice regarding our spiritual nature. We can choose to receive God's abundant provision of grace and his gift of righteousness. God's grace covers the many sins we commit
No matter how good we may be, we still need to experience God's grace. Without it we will never experience salvation. When it comes to religious diligence, none could compete with John Wesley. He was strict and tenacious in his pursuit of righteousness. Yet, he realized there was something he was missing. As he was listening to someone read Luther's Preface to the Epistle to the Romans, John Wesley's search for salvation ended. He later wrote in his journal, "I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, in Christ alone for salvation, and an assurance was given me that he had taken away my sins, even mine."
William Barclay said it like this, "man was ruined by sin and rescued by Christ."
There is nothing that God's grace can't erase.