(Romans 5:17-19 NIV) 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 the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. 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.
This morning we continue our series entitled, “Re-Energizing Your Prayer Life.” Yesterday we covered a couple of passages that drove home the point that we are declared (made) righteous when we accept Jesus as Lord. Let’s look at another today.
In Paul’s letter to the church in Rome he compares the legacy of Adam to the legacy of Jesus. What did Adam leave behind for us? The answer is not pretty. Because of Adam every one of us was born into sin and formed in iniquity (Psalm 51:5). The late Dr. Fuchia Pickett, when she was advanced in years, said, “I have never heard a baby say “Yes” first. Babies are born with a tendency to say no.” Adam’s act of disobedience in the Garden of Eden introduced satan’s double-whammy, sin and death, into the world; leaving us in need of deliverance from both. After pronouncing judgment upon the serpent, the woman, and the man, God did something that would be the pattern of deliverance for the rest of the Old Testament. He killed an innocent animal for the act of a guilty man. The blood of the animal became the price for the transgression of the man. The skin of the animal became the covering for the shame of the man. This unnamed animal paid the price that was reserved for the man (Gen 2:17). This pattern continued throughout the Old Testament as Jews, under the law, scarified an atonement lamb as a covering for sin and a PASSOVER lamb as a covering for death. In both cases this ritual had to be repeated annually, because the payment was not equivalent to the debt.
The only suitable payment for the transgression of a human is redemption through a human. Someone would actually have to trade their life for ours before we would be able to escape the clutches of sin and death (our captors). Luke told us (Acts 20:28) that Jesus purchased (redeemed) us with His own blood. In one fell swoop Jesus became both the atonement lamb (offering for sin) and the PASSOVER lamb (offering for death). Jesus was our equivalent payment! Glory to God! Our ransom has been paid. We now have redemption and freedom through His blood! Our text tells us that while one man (Adam) left a legacy of death and bondage, another man (Jesus) came to leave us a legacy of life and freedom! Part of that freedom is the privilege to pray to the Father directly, in the name of our redeemer Jesus the Christ!
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. Jesus was the last Adam (1 Cor 15:45). There won’t be another.
2. Jesus came to GET US OUT OF everything Adam had GOTTEN US INTO!
3. The blood of lambs, goats, and calves served as a temporary solution to a permanent problem (Heb 9:12). But praise God that the ransom (debt) has been paid, the captor (satan) has been defeated and the captured (us) have been released – Hallelujah!
4. We should now be more righteousness-conscious than sin-conscious. This mentality will aid us greatly when we pray.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You once again for Jesus. Jesus’ finished work on Calvary’s cross paid my debt once and for all. As soon as I accepted Jesus as Lord I was declared righteous and made to be the righteousness of God in Christ. No animals have to die for me. Jesus’ blood paid it ALL! All to Him I owe! Sin had left a crimson stain, but my Jesus washed me white as snow. I can now come to You, with both boldness and humility, understanding my right and authority to pray in Jesus’ name. Thank You Father for sending Your Son to both make a way for me to have eternal life and to also transform my life in the earth. I declare this by faith. In Jesus‘ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
