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 (Romans 5:18-19)
Generation on fire, I greet you in the name of the new and perfect Adam – our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The book of Romans is perhaps one of Paul’s gospel masterpieces and in this word, we get to understand a most noteworthy juxtaposition of Adams in the bible. In a sermon I watched some time ago a preacher made clear that there are two major altars driving the seen and unseen world as we know it. The altar of sin from which all evil is powered and the throne of grace which is the seat of God that subdues sin and dominates evil when given the opportunity. In comparing the original failed Adam to a new unfailing Adam, Paul is highlighting the unique principle by which we are saved and continue being saved.
Throughout Romans 5, Paul makes direct comparisons between Adam and Christ (the new Adam). Paul makes clear that Adam in Genesis is a “pattern of the one to come” but with important distinctions. The most illuminating words come in verse 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.” Paul calls Adam’s deed a trespass which is diametrically opposite to Jesus’ deed which is a gift. Adam acted in selfish gain while Jesus acted with unselfish compassion towards us. Their actions resulted in the age-old war between light and darkness, righteousness and sin, life and death.
The effects of Christ's actions undo the consequences of Adam’s failure. Beginning with the introduction of death – “For the many died by the trespass of one man” and corresponding condemnation – “The judgement followed one sin and brought condemnation” and ending with a perpetual reign of death – “by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man.” Christ changed the equation, His actions resulted in life and justification. Paul is making sure that we understand that prior to Christ’s sacrifice we were in bondage but through Christ's sacrifice, not only does death no longer reign but we now reign in righteousness – “the gift of righteousness reigns in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!”
Most importantly, in making this comparison between the two Adams, Paul goes through great effort to show that the power and scope of Christ’s work far eclipses that of Adam’s. Two times, he uses the phrase “how much more” when contrasting Christ’s contributions to Adam’s. Christ’s work can completely overwhelm, completely cover and undo all the effects of Adam’s work. The real contrast is between sin and grace. Adam before he fell was righteous in the sight of God but he still retained the possibility of unrighteousness. Those who have been truly saved by Jesus have received a perfected righteousness. The question for us today is which Adam do we knowingly or unknowingly identify with? The first Adam is not the last word for humanity, the second Adam is. There is no hope at all without him; there is certain hope with and in Him.
Prayer
Father, help me to radically identify with You, to understand my perfected righteousness through the gift of Jesus’ death. Help me reign in life through Christ Jesus. Amen