One Man!

Romans 5:12-17 NET

“So then, just as sin entered the world through one man and death through sin, and so death spread to all people because all sinned—for before the law was given, sin was in the world, but there is no accounting for sin when there is no law. Yet death reigned from Adam until Moses even over those who did not sin in the same way that Adam (who is a type of the coming one) transgressed. But the gracious gift is not like the transgression. For if the many died through the transgression of the one man, how much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one man Jesus Christ multiply to the many! And the gift is not like the one who sinned. For judgment, resulting from the one transgression, led to condemnation, but the gracious gift from the many failures led to justification. For if, by the transgression of the one man, death reigned through the one, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ!” Romans 5:12-17 NET

It is particularly captivating that the Apostle Paul places the heavy responsibility for sin squarely upon Adam, rather than attributing it to Satan. This deliberate choice reveals a profound theological insight: humanity, composed of fragile flesh and blood beings, enters the world inherently flawed and burdened by weaknesses, while Satan, often referred to as the accuser or adversary, exists as a formidable spiritual being, exerting influence from a distinctly different and higher realm.

Paul unequivocally asserts, “Before the law was given, sin was in the world.” This declaration serves not merely as a historical note; it acts as a poignant reminder that sin existed independently of any legal framework, much like the insidious presence of Satan, whose deceptive influence was at work long before any moral codes were established. This perspective challenges us to understand sin not merely as a violation of rules but as a pervasive spiritual condition that taints humanity and the entirety of creation.

Ultimately, sin embodies everything that stands in stark opposition to God’s nature—His holiness, righteousness, and boundless love. It serves as a sobering reminder of the urgent need for redemption and the profound grace available through God’s intervention, which can restore our fractured relationship with the divine and illuminate the path forward to healing and reconciliation in our broken world.

Here is a profound truth to reflect upon: from the era of Adam until the moment Moses received the law, humanity was enveloped in the pervasive shadow of death. Those who came after Adam did not sin in the same explicit manner as he did; rather, sin metamorphosed into an intrinsic curse interwoven into the very fabric of our existence. Due to Adam’s monumental transgression in the Garden of Eden, every person born thereafter has inherited this heavy burden of estrangement from God, affecting every aspect of life.

Adam was created as the first man in God’s image. He was meant to embody divine qualities, serving as the quintessential example of humanity’s intended purpose—a life filled with purpose, modeling divine love, and engaging in intimate communion with the Creator. Tragically, his fateful choice to defy God’s command led to an irrevocable fall from grace, resulting not only in Adam’s personal alienation from the divine but also in a deep fracture within the human experience. This pivotal moment reshaped the trajectory of God’s intentions for creation, marking a painful transition from the perfect harmony and relationship with God in the Garden of Eden to a harsh reality marred by sin, suffering, and death, casting a long shadow over all generations that would follow. In contrast, God’s abundant and gracious gift—emerging from our many shortcomings and failures—extends as a transformative promise of deep justification, renewal, and hope.

The magnificent gift we receive through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ stands in stark contrast to the profound and devastating consequences of sin. A single act of disobedience in Eden not only brought judgment upon humanity but also ushered in a cloud of condemnation that loomed ominously over our existence.

Consider this: if death seized humanity and ruled over us directly as a consequence of Adam’s transgression, then the glorious and vibrant life that awaits those who fully embrace God’s boundless grace and the invaluable gift of righteousness is nothing short of astounding.

Through the life-changing and redemptive power of Jesus Christ, we have the opportunity to rise above the crushing despair of hopelessness and instead triumphantly reign in the full splendor and richness of a life imbued with purpose, joy, and eternal fulfillment! Paul addresses the Roman assembly not to instill a sense of guilt or condemnation but to illuminate a profound and life-altering truth: we possess no innate goodness. Each of us enters this world flawed, weighed down by our imperfections—whether they manifest as selfishness, doubt, insecurity, or brokenness. Yet, despite these shortcomings, God perceives remarkable potential within us through His boundless and unwavering love and grace.

We were not merely designed to navigate life independently; we are His cherished children, intricately created for connection and interdependence with one another. Our true destiny lies in experiencing genuine freedom—freedom that liberates us from the suffocating chains of sin, death, and isolation that can ensnare us. Through this divine perspective, we are invited to recognize and embrace our unique purpose and potential, created to flourish in God’s vibrant love and unmerited grace. Within this faith community, we find strength, support, and invaluable opportunities to grow together, discovering profound meaning and purpose as we reflect the divine love that binds us all.

Stephen Barnett