(Read Romans 5:18,19)
This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing.” Two days ago we looked at some of the differences between the first Adam and the Last Adam (Jesus). Yesterday we discussed the abundance of Grace and the gift of righteousness we received in Christ Jesus. As we continue to walk through the fifth chapter of Paul’s letter to the church in Rome we see that Paul continues to flow in the same vein. The Apostle Paul writes, “Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. Adam had a perfect relationship with God. Adam’s relationship with God was untainted because sin was not part of the equation, it was unfiltered because condemnation was not yet a reality, and it was uninterrupted because the Holy Spirit lived in Adam and established a 24×7 connection to the Father.
2. Adam’s sin was disruptive and destructive on many levels. Adam’s act of disobedience introduced the consequences of sin (Adam was fearful and ashamed), it severed the direct connection He had with God (the Holy Spirit left, his eyes were opened and he was resigned to live a life of human limits), and he was sentenced to death (whereas before he could have lived forever).
3. If what Adam did only applied to his life it would have been bad enough. However, all that Adam received as a consequence of his disobedience — fear, shame, guilt, the loss of the Holy Spirit, the loss of supernatural power and a death sentence — was passed on to all mankind. Every human is born with the inheritance Adam left us.
4. One man, Adam, got us into a world of problems. But God, who is rich in mercy, sent another man, Jesus, to get us out of everything Adam got us into.
5. Adam left us an inheritance of fear, guilt and shame. Jesus gives us access to a life of faith, making us justified in Him, and guiltless. In Adam we were condemned. In Jesus we are made right. We are the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21).
6. Because of Adam we were born without the Holy Spirit and we were therefore resigned to live a life of human limits. But Jesus came to restore the Holy Spirit to mankind and we now have access to the Supernatural because God Himself (the Holy Spirit) lives IN us when we are Born-Again.
7. Adam left us a death sentence. We are all born with reservations to hell and with the fear of death looming over our heads. This leads to a lifetime of bondage (Hebrews 2:15). However, Jesus came to conquer death once and for all. Jesus took the sting out of death and He took victory away from the grave (1 Corinthians 15:54, 55). Once we are Born-Again our old man is crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20) and we have done all the dying we are ever going to do. When a Born-Again believer dies in the flesh they simply move from earth to heaven, from time to eternity, from mortal to immortality.
8. No matter how you were born and no matter how many problems you faced in life because of the mess Adam left for you, just know that once you are Born-Again Jesus got you OUT OF everything Adam got you INTO and all things are made NEW! Not because you deserve it. Not because you earned it. Not because you are so good. But because Jesus earned it for you and because God is so good! God saved you by Grace and He now freely blesses you by Grace! Access God’s Grace by faith and you will never be the same!
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for taking the time to teach me Your Word in a way I am able to understand and apply. The more I understand the mess Adam got me (and all mankind) into, the more I understand why I was the way I was prior to being Born-Again. Adam left me a world of problems, but Jesus came to get me out of them all. Because of Adam I was born in sin, and fear, guilt and shame were part of my daily life. However, Jesus came to get me out of sin and I am now the righteousness of God in Christ. I no longer live in condemnation. The Holy Spirit convicts me, but He does not condemn me. When the devil comes to condemn me, I am able to resist his condemnation, because I know I have been made right in Christ by Grace. Because of Adam I was born without Your precious Holy Spirit and I had to live a life based upon my effort and human power alone. However, Jesus came to restore access to the Holy Spirit to mankind. I was Born-Again. The Holy Spirit now lives in me 24x7x365. I now have access to Supernatural power and I am no longer resigned to live a life of human effort alone. In myself I am limited, but since You live in me You give me access to the Supernatural and I am able to live a life without limits. Adam left me a death sentence. The fear of death loomed over my head from the day I was born and it led to all sorts of bondage. However, Jesus came to conquer satan, hell, death and the grave once and for all. Jesus took the sting out of death and he robbed the grave of its victory. My old man is already dead in Christ. I have done all the dying I am going to do. I have nothing to fear, because when my body eventually dies, my spirit will simply move from earth to glory, from time to eternity, from mortal to immortality. Jesus is awesome! Jesus got me OUT OF everything Adam got me INTO and for that I shall forever be thankful! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
