Unashamed Reading Plan – W4D5

Prayer

As you come to spend time with Jesus, calm your mind and body until you feel fully present. Thank Jesus that he came to save you!

Bible Reading: Romans 5:12-21

Read these verses three times slowly.

Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—

To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law. 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 is a pattern of the one to come.

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! Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 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!

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.

The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Reflection & Questions

There is a lot to digest in the details of these verses, but if we zoom out there is an overarching concept Paul is communicating. There are two men in history, who had two very different actions, which led to two very different outcomes. Through Adam, who disobeyed and sinned, came sin and death for everyone. Through Jesus, who obeyed and sacrificed, came justification and life for all who believe.

There are some interesting parallels and contrasts between Adam and Jesus:

• Adam ate from a tree. Jesus died on a tree.
• Adam transgressed. Jesus obeyed.
• Because of Adam, many died; because of Jesus life came to many
• Through Adam was condemnation; through Jesus was justification (just-as-if-I’d never sinned)
• Through Adam, death reigned. Through Jesus, righteousness will reign.

Is it fair that because of Adam’s sin we are all sinned and face death? Let’s pause before we go too far along those lines. We mustn’t forget that through our very own choices, we have confirmed our own rebellion against God. We are truly “without excuse” as Paul says in Romans 1:20.

So what is Paul trying to say here? Once again, he is hammering home that salvation is by faith in the actions of the one God-man, Jesus. It is one man’s actions that got us here, and one greater man who will get us out. We can’t earn our salvation. It is through His actions and His gift. We can truly rely and trust in Him.

1. Why is there comfort in the fact that righteousness depends on the action of one Man?
2. We face a choice for which man we will copy in our actions. Will we be like Adam or like Jesus? Where are you finding it hard to act like Jesus right now? Talk to God about that.

Prayer

Talk to God in response to the reading today.

Worship Song

You might use this song today to worship Jesus today: