“Romans 5”

Sunday, February 05, 2017

Having been justified before God through our faith in Jesus Christ, we can have peace and hope. Even through trials and difficulties, we develop endurance and strength of character, which give us hope.

Hope is more than just wishful thinking. It is desire, plus confident expectation. And it is hope that is described elsewhere as an anchor for our soul (Hebrews 6:19). A life lived without hope is mere existence. All life is not lived well and the Savior came that we might have abundant life (John 10:10).

Could the sacrifice of one Man, Jesus Christ, really provide hope for all mankind? Could millions of souls be saved through the death of one individual?

Paul reminds us here that it was through one man, Adam, that sin entered the world. Verses 12-21 remind us that just as one man brought sin and death into the world for everyone, so one man, Jesus, brought righteousness and life into the world also.

Many have interpreted verses 12-21 to teach the false doctrine of inherited sin. This passage does not teach that. It is true that we suffer the physical consequence of Adam’s sin, in that all people will die physically. It is not true that we suffer the guilt of Adam’s sin. We suffer the guilt of our own sin and the spiritual consequence of an eternity separated from God.

But God provided salvation for us through the death of His Son. Both spiritual death (due to sin) and spiritual life (through the righteous act of Christ) are conditional. We choose to sin and we can choose to obey God and live forever.

 --Roger Hillis

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