Is Adam to blame? Read Romans 5:12-19
These verses explain how sin and death entered the world through Adam’s disobedience, affecting all humanity. This reading takes us from the original sin thru the laws and leads us to grace of Jesus Christ, whose single act of righteousness brings justification and life to many. Through Jesus we are saved from Adam’s condemnation by a life through faith, not works.
Romans is significantly different from the other epistles. It was not a community Paul had established. Nevertheless, he wrote with the goal of creating unity out of the conflict between the various already established communities. Whether or not he achieved his goal we do not know, but we do know that this letter has had a profound effect on church leaders throughout the centuries.
Romans outlines the core Christian doctrine that salvation is a gift of God’s grace received through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works, or by obeying the law. It addresses how Jesus brings together both Jews and Gentiles into a new, justified family, resolving human sinfulness and establishing a foundation for holy living.
An interesting note highlighted by verse 13. Even though we were sinners before the law, it is the law that defines sin. A lot like the laws for driving. If there wasn’t a speed limit, we can’t be speeding. In Lincoln several years ago, they tried a flashing GREEN light at pedestrian crossing, some people would slow down expecting the light was going to change. Others would speed up thinking the light was going to change. At that time there was no rule no law, both responses were OK. So it was, until we had laws to define improper behavior there was no sin!!
Sin, doing those things we hate, things we know are wrong unavoidably is part of who we are. It is not that some people will sin while others will not. All of us live lives marked by sin and death. And we must trace the source of that sin and death to the very first person, Adam
Paul emphasizes that sin is still sin and no matter how righteous we may feel we are guilty. The good news is that through our faith in Jesus we are saved. This gift is free. A gift given to us because we have faith in Him, not by what we have done. Our hope is not in what we do, or how we do it. It is freely given, we only need let go of the world and wrap our faith in God. Bishop Rueben P. Job in his book Three Simple Rules (A Wesleyan Way of Living) (page 47) shares that “Each of us is embraced in the unlimited, saving, and transforming love of God” All we need to do is to let go of the world and put our faith in Christ. He continues to share that this knowledge of true self can place us on a path of greater trust in God and greater capacity to live fully. He finishes with “It is a simple step that would make a huge difference in transforming our world.”
This is good news for us. A promise that no matter how insignificant we feel, we do make a difference.
This leads us to verse 19 “so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.”
In these days that can be filled with self-indulgent newism and scary terrorism, letting go of the world’s popular view is hard. We are challenged by Paul to put our faith and hope in Christ. In Christ is found that hope that is eternal. The hope that contrasts with the temporary. Through Christ we have the hope and promise of an eternal existence. Are you ready to let go of the temporary? To engage in growing closer to returning to the perfect?
Let us pray.
Loving God, come and make your home in us today. We open ourselves to You. Dwell within us all this day and all of the days to come. Save us from error and foolish ways that separate us from You. Teach us today to do no harm, to do good and help us stay in a loving relationship with You and Your creation both physical and spiritual. Help us this day to be an answer to another’s prayer. Guide us to be the light and one of Your signs of hope in the world You love. In Jesus’s mighty name, we pray. AMEN