“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all men have sinned” – Romans 5:12
LIGHT FOR NOW: We have peace with God.
In the previous verses before our main text (Romans 5:12), Paul explained that salvation on the basis of faith brings us peace with God. We can hope in Him and trust him since he has so clearly shown his love for us (Romans 5:8). Paul begins a new section in this verse in which he will compare the work of Adam as the representation of sinful humanity, with the work of Christ on behalf of sinful humanity.
This further explains the ideas of human sin, Christ’s sacrifice, and our salvation, all of which have already been introduced in this letter. Paul starts with Adam, though he is not mentioned by name for several verses. Paul states that sin came into the world through one man. This one man is Adam, the first man created from dust by God himself (Genesis 2:7). God breathed life into Adam and placed him in the Garden of Eden with only one restriction: Don’t eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:15-17). Adam, along with his wife, Eve, did exactly what they were told not to, and sin entered the world. It’s worth noting here that the term “world”, in this context, is specifically a reference to humanity.
Paul’s discussion here is entirely focused on the relationship between human beings and God.
What’s clear from Paul’s argument here is that death followed sin, as God said it would. Adam and Eve were sent away from God and from the Garden and began to die physically. They became mortal beings with a limited lifespan. Romans 5 begins by describing some of the benefits that come with being declared righteous by God because of our faith in Christ. We have peace with God, and we stand in His grace. We rejoice both in the hope of God’s glory and in our temporary suffering. We have hope that we will not be disappointed because God has already proved His love for us on the cross. Glory!
INSTRUCTION: The work of Christ has made you sin free, acknowledge this.
CONFESSION: Father, I acknowledge your love for me on the cross, in Jesus Name, Amen.
QUOTE: By one man, sin entered the world; by another man, sin was taken away.
DAILY READING: MORNING: GALATIANS CHAPTER 1; EVENING: GALATIANS CHAPTER 2
LIGHT FROM THE WORD 