GOD’S GRACE TRIUMPHS OVER MANY TRANSGRESSIONS, NOT JUST ONE

Christ Is Far Greater Than Adam

Romans 5:6-21 i

Some references to this passage of scripture: ii

Romans 5:12-21

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned - 13 for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. 15 But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. 16 The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification. 17 For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. 18 So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. 19 For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.

“But the free gift is not like the offense For if through the offense of one,many are dead, much more the Grace of God, and the gift by Grace,which is by one Man, Jesus Christ, has abounded unto many.”Romans 5:15.

Lasts week looked at Adam and the reign of death today we are going to look at Christ and the reign of life..

In Adam there is death and in Christ there is life. We were ruined by the Fall, but we are saved by a free gift. The text tells us that “the Grace of God, and the gift by Grace, which is by one Man, Jesus Christ, has abounded unto many.” “Where sin abounded, Grace did much more abound .” “Grace reigns through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Christ Is Far Greater Than Adam

The main point of the text is that what Christ has done for all who are in him is far greater than what Adam did for all who were in him.

The obedience of Christ is parallel, but greatly superior, to the disobedience of Adam.

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The righteousness imputed to those who are in Christ is parallel, but greatly superior, to the sin imputed to those who are in Adam because of his disobedience.

The life that comes to us who are in Christ through that imputed righteousness is parallel, but greatly superior, to the death that comes to those who are in Adam through that imputed sin.iii

The message that Paul wants to communicate throughout the whole epistle to the Romans is that forgiveness of sin and access to God is provided through one person, Jesus Christ.iv

In Romans 5:12-21, Paul views salvation from the curse of Adam to God’s cure in Christ. Adam’s one act of disobedience brought both sin and death upon mankind. Christ’s one act of obedience, on the cross of Calvary, brought about the solution to this curse. The work of Christ offers all men not only the promise of the forgiveness of their sins, but a new identity and a new beginning, in Christ.v

Charles H. Spurgeon vi

WHEN WE LOOK AT ADAM WE SEE THE DEATH OF OVER 160 BILLION PEOPLE IN THE HISTORY OF MANKIND. All mankind died spiritually that day in the Garden of Eden, and man was doomed to eternal Hell. And as we have been teaching, there was no other way for mankind to obtain an awaking of spiritual life , no other way to be made right with God, other than through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

ONE MAN ADAM ALL DIED, ONE MAN JESUS CHRIST CAN DO MORE THAN WHAT ADAM’S SIN DID.

Paul is going to illustrate for us death and life

(For until the law 3551 sin 266 was in the world: but sin is not imputed1677 when there is not law. Romans 5:13

FOR (GAR)

Paul is going to give us an explanation to prove what he has asserted in vs. 12, that all men are born sinners. (13-14).

How do we know that sin was in the world from Adam to Moses?

UNTIL THE LAW3551 SIN (BUT SIN IS NOT IMPUTED WHEN THERE IS NO LAW

Paul says that sin is not charged as a specific infringement of a particular law when there is no written Law. And yet in verse 14 Paul said all men died anyway! So how is that? Sin was still sin during the period from Adam to Moses and people died during that period of time. Even when there was no LAW man was still accountable for sin. Therefore from Adam to Moses sin continued to effect all mankind, which was death.

IMPUTED 1677 ELLOGEO

A Greek technical term meaning to change something to one’s account.

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Sin was in the world before the Law. How do you know that? Because DEATH is the wage of Sin and people were dying from Adam to Moses.

There was no violation of a known law. Paul is not saying that since there was no Law there was no sin. An act can be inherently wrong even if there is no law against it. The Law brought about wrath. God gave the law so that sin might be seen as sin. Had it not been for the LAW, they would not have seen their wrong doings.

“Well I am not a sinner unless there is no law and since there was no law” was the argument. Paul was saying you misunderstand the principle of sin.

What Paul was saying, Sin is not what you do, sin is what you are. The Law was given to show the evidence of the sin nature.. Here is what the Law said, Do you want to

see a sinner.

ROMANS 5:14 NEVERTHELESS DEATH REIGNED936 FROM ADAM TO MOSES, EVEN OVER THEM THAT HAD NO SINNED AFTER THE SIMILITUDE3667 OF ADAM’S TRANSGRESSION 3847 WHO IS THE FIGURE5179 OF HIM THAT WAS TO COME.”

NEVERTHELESS

Paul again is saying that far from sin not being credited when there is no law, nevertheless death reigned.

DEATH2288 thanatos

That is the opposite of life and the absence of life is seen as the consequence and punishment of sin. Paul is speaking of “THE DEAH” that is personifying of it as “king” over mankind.

REIGNED936 basileusvii

Means to rule as king. Complete authority and right to control in an absolute manner

FROM ADAM TO MOSES

EVEN OVER THEM THAT HAD NOT SINNED AFTER THE likeness OF ADAM’S TRANSGRESSION

SINNED

1 John 5:17 - Unrighteousness John 16:9 - Do not believe in Jesus I John 3:4 - Lawlessness Romans 3:23- Falling short of the glory of God James 4:17 – Having even reasonable doubt.

SO WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO COMMIT SIN?

Any thought, word or action that fails to conform to the law of God is sin.

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Sin is lawlessness I John 3:4 referring to an inward attitude as well as to the breaking of written commandmensts.

o Genesis 39:9

Numbers 32:23

I Kings 8:46

TWENTY REASONS NOT TO SINviii (the footnotes)

AFTER THE SIMILITUDE3667ix

1. that which has been made after the likeness of something a. a figure, image, likeness, representation b. likeness i.e. resemblance, such as amounts almost to equality or identity

2. MacArthur adds that homoioma a. refers to that which is made to be like something else, not just in appearance (cf. Php 2:7)

but in reality. Jesus was not a clone, a disguised alien, or merely some reasonable facsimile of a man. He became exactly like all other human beings, having all the attributes of humanity, a genuine man among men.  (MacArthur, J. Philippians. Chicago: Moody Press)

of Adam’s transgression

WHO IS THE FIGURE5179 OF HIM THAT IS TO COME

1 the mark of a stroke or blow, print 2 a figure formed by a blow or impression

a. of a figure or image b. of the image of the gods

3 form

a. the teaching which embodies the sum and substance of religion and represents it to the mind, manner of writing, the contents and form of a letter

What did Adam have that was in any way a likeness to Jesus?

There was one likeness that stands out. Both of them were representative of the human race. Adam made a selfish decision and cast the world into sin. Jesus made a selfless decision.

Adam affected all men, and Jesus can potentially affect all men. NOW ROMANS 5:15-21

Paul repeats much, he will overlap a lot of this thoughts. Much as I do, to try to give a better, deeper idea of what I really want you to know about this verse, or this thought.

Paul continues his analogy of Adam and Christ, showing how the life that was made possible for all men by Christ’s atoning sacrifice is illustrated diametrically opposed, antithetically by the death that was made unavoidable for all men by Adam’s sin. It is the truth the apostle summarizes in his

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first letter to Corinth: For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive (1Co 15:22). (MacArthur, J: Romans 1-8. Chicago: Moody Press

Spurgeon x

Romans 5:15a BUT NOT AS THE OFFENSE3900 SO ALSO IS THE FREE GIFT5486

1A THE OUTCOME OF EACH MAN’S ACT: The Effect Adam’s offense and Christ’s free gift.

BUT

Paul starts with “but” which denotes that he is drawing a clear contrast. In verse 14 Paul said that Adam was a type of Christ. True but there are a number of significant differences. So Paul is going to point those out.

NOT AS THE OFFENSE3900xi PARAPTOMA

Offense translated Transpass

1. to fall beside or near something 2. a lapse or deviation from truth and uprightness

a. a sin, misdeed

Adam stumbles or falls. He crossed the line, challenging God’s boundary. God drew the line in the sand and said, “Don’t cross it.” Adam said “Watch me” And he deliberately “crossed the line” when he ate the forbidden fruit.xii

SO ALSO IS THE FREE GIFT

Christ’s influence for good far outweighs Adam’s effectiveness for evil.

FOOTNOTE:xiii

Medical researchers explain to us that because of the way that our DNA ladders were constructed and our cells divide, we were literally a physical part of our forefathers. Thus Adam sinned, we were in Adam and a part of his sin.

So one does not have to commit the DEED of sin to have the DEATH SENTENCE in him, (that is why little one dies)

Romans 5:15b For If through the offense of one man many be dead,

The evil of ADAM brought DEATH The Free gift of Christ, not only freed man from death, but brought them into

righteousness of Christ.

“If Adams fall had the result of the ruin of many, the grace of God is much more benefiting many since Christ is much more powerful to save them

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NOTICE THE GREATER RESULTS OF GRACE 15B

FREE GIFT5486xiv

1. a favour with which one receives without any merit of his own 2. the gift of divine grace 3. the gift of faith, knowledge, holiness, virtue 4. the economy of divine grace, by which the pardon of sin and eternal salvation is appointed to

sinners in consideration of the merits of Christ laid hold of by faith 5. grace or gifts denoting extraordinary powers, distinguishing certain Christians and enabling them

to serve the church of Christ, the reception of which is due to the power of divine grace operating on their souls by the Holy Spirit

So Adam’s offense had a definite RESULT. Christ had a definite result

In a sense Adam’s sin brought a one dimension response. It just killed everybody. But when Christ redeems it is not just redemption, but redemption opens up all the wonderful things

of eternal life forever and ever.

Romans 5:15c MUCH MORE DID THE GRACE OF GOD AND THE GIFT BY THE GRACE OF THE ONE MAN JESUS CHRIST ABOUND TO THE MANY:

The grace of God expresses the attitude of God. Then it says the gift by grace which comes because of God’s attitude. Through Jesus Christ, God’s grace which is God’s nature, is express to man as a gift of His grace, which comes to them by Jesus Christ. So by ONE MAN JESUS CHRIST COMES THE GIFT OF SALVATION, JUSTIFICATION, RIGHTEOUSNESS, which is expressive of God’s attribute of Grace, the free gift of God’s marvels grace?

Therefore Christ did MUCH MORE than just bring mankind back to where Adam was before the fall. But through it to eternal righteousness.

It is more than cancel of sin. More then just removing the Adamic problem. But it will also open up all the eternal bliss and the richness we have in Christ

So what is the practical use of this verse in Romans 5:15

Death came to Adam, through Adam all man will die. But death’s power can be broken, and Christ can break the power of sin, and He has abolished death and brought to light, life and immorality.

Here is the “much more” Christ’s act cannot be over ruled. Adam cannot gain victory over Christ. But Christ can gain victory over Adam.

IF YOU RECEIVE THE GRACE OF GOD THROUGH CHRIST, HOW LONG WILL YOU HAVE IT?

Forever.

Romans 5:16 The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification. (NASB

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Romans 5:16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offenses unto justification. kjv

1A THE OUTCOME OF EACH MAN’S ACT: THE EFFECT

2A THE RANGE OF EACH MAN’S ACT. THE EXTENT

TO WHICH ADAM AND CHRIST AFFECTED MANKIND.

How far reaching was Adam’s condemnation. How far reaching was Christ’s justification? The second point in which the effects of the work of Christ differ from the sin of Adamxv

First point in Romans 5:15

The evil consequences flowed from the sin of one MAN, Adam, and that the benefits flowed from the work of on MAN, Jesus Chirst.

Second Point in Romans 5:16

That the evil consequences flowed from one CRIME, one act of guilt; but that the favours had respect to MANY ACTS of guilt. The effects of Adam’s sin, whatever they were, pertained to the one sin; the effects of the work of Christ to many sins.

Sin is not the last word, for the GIFT alters the sinner’s entire situation. Sin caused condemnation but the Gift brought about salvation.

Sin brought about JUDGMENT 2917 KRIMA

1. a decree, judgments 2. judgment

a. condemnation of wrong, the decision (whether severe or mild) which one passes on the faults of others

b. in a forensic sense 1. the sentence of a judge 2. the punishment with which one is sentenced 3. condemnatory sentence, penal judgment, sentence

3. a matter to be judicially decided, a lawsuit, a case in court

God the judge passed sentence on Adam for the ONE offence, involving himself and all those who followed him.

WAS BY ONE TO CODEMNATION 2631xvi

1 damnatory sentence, condemnation

God pronounce sentence against. God judge Adam as definitely guilty and thus subject to punishment,

There was a verdict: God’s sentence. The word condemnation involves the idea of “punishment” or “doom.”

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Romans 5:16 BUT ON THE OTHER HAND THE FREE GIFT5486 AROSE FROM MANY TRANSGRESSIONS2631 RESULTING IN JUSTIFICATON1345.

Isaiah 1:18; 43:25; 44:22; Luke 7:47-50; Acts 13:38-39; I Corinthians 6:9-11; I Timothy 1:13-16

But on the other hand - The UBS Handbook rightly observes that "At this point the analogy with Adam breaks down. After his one sin came the judgment of “Guilty”; but after so many sins comes the undeserved gift of “Not guilty!” In this way Paul demonstrates the superiority of God’s grace over Adam’s sin. Grace had a much more difficult road to travel than sin had. To use an illustration from everyday life, it is much easier for an infection to spread than it is to cure the infection once it has spread throughout the body."

Adams one sin dammed everyone, Christ in justification can forgive all SIN> So how much more greater is Christ one Act over Adam’s one act.

Christ does more than just remove the curse, but forgives all sin.

SO WHAT DO WE LEARN AS A PRACTICAL USE?

How many sins did it take for God to condemn the whole human race? ONE. What did God think about that one sin? Death for the whole race.

o FOLKS GOD DOESN’T LIKE ONE SIN ANY LESS THAN HE LIKE 10 SINS BUILD UP.

o God does not say if you have 15 free sins before I dislike you.

o For one sin God brought judgment to the whole human race.

And the judgment was a BOMB. Not a fire craker.

The whole world would enter into a spiritual, physical and eternal death.

Have you caught on yet, about what God thinks about your sin?

You say that is like getting the eclectic chair for jay walking

One Sin: and all 160 billion have died or will die. God hates sin.

Okay now doesn’t that also tell you a little something about GOD GRACE?

HIS GRACE IS GREATER THAN HIS ANGER, RIGHT

With God there is no first degree, second degree, or even a third degree of sins. ONE SIN IS so made it will get you WHAT? Right.

GOD DOESN’T LIKE ANY SIN. PERIOD. DO YOU GET THE PICTURE? IF YOU DO YOU WILL GET HOW GREAT GRACE IS. Amazing and incomprehensible.

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1A THE OUTCOME OF EACH MAN’S ACT: THE EFFECT

2A THE RANGE OF EACH MAN’S ACT: THE EXTENT

To what degree was their act applied

3A THE PROVISION OF EACH MAN’S ACT: THE EFFICACY

To what ability to produce the desired result

Romans 5:17 FOR IF BY ONE MAN’S OFFENSE DEATH2288 REIGNED1936 BY ONE

Adam brought about the reign of death and Christ brought about the reign of life. Adam had no idea that his disobedience would cause such a death sentences. What Satan told

them to do did not have the ability to produce the desired result they were hoping for. As a matter of fact the opposite happen. Rather than making them little gods, they were ruined.

MUCH MORE

There is no doubt that there is a greater abundance of life in Christ than there was of death-power in Adam. T

There is a higher degree of certainly here. Our future glory is more certain even than our death. There is a more powerful cause here: future glory in Christ.

THEY WHICH RECEIVE2983 xvii

They who are receiving (present tense) i.e. continuous action, habitual action, often reflects a lifestyle. It can indicate reaching out to take hold of.

Those whom it was intended to receive this gift. Sin and death are universal; on the other hand LIFE is given to those who receive grace.

ABUNDANCE4050 OF

Refers to God’s super abundant provision, super abundant, infinite generosity of His provision of grace.

What do THEY receive? Ephesians 2;7 “the surpassing riches of His grace. This introduces to us the work of grace. There is no doubt that there is a greater abundance of life in Christ than there was of

death-power in Adamxviii

OF GRACE5485

Refer to that favor which God did at Calvary when he stepped down from His judgment throne to take upon Himself the guilt and penalty of human sin.

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God has no strings tied to the salvation He provided for man at the Cross.

Salvation is given the believing sinner out of the pure bounteousness of God’s heart.

o The Greek word referred to an action that was beyond the ordinary course of what might be expected, and was therefore commendablexix

AND THE GIFT1431

Refers to a free gift and emphasizes the unnecessary character of the gift Describes that which is given or transferred freely by one person to another, without price or

compensation.

OF RIGHTEOUSNESS1343 dikaiosune from dikaios

being proper or right in the sense of being fully justified being or in accordance with what God requires. Is the quality of being right.

Refers to a state that conforms to an authoritative standard.

It is not only that we are forgiven, but over and above being forgiven, the righteousness of Jesus Christ is put to our account, is put upon us. … Unfallen Adam was righteous, but it was his own righteousness as a created being, it was the righteousness of a man. Adam never had the righteousness of Jesus Christ upon him. What he lost was his own righteousness. But you and I are not merely given back a human righteousness, the righteousness that Adam had before he fell—we are given the righteousness of Jesus Christ. “Much more”—abundance, superabundance—give full weight to it! We receive this abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness. D. Martyn-Jones.

SHALL REIGH936 IN LIFE2222 BY ONE JESUS CHRIST

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN BY ONE JESUS CHRIST

1 Christ has complete authority and right to control in an absolute manner.

2 Christ’s act has, accomplished and will complete exactly what He intended for…Philippians 1:6 He who began a good work in you will perfect it unto the day of Christ Jesus.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO REIGN in LIFE WITH CHRIST

1 It means to be alive. Jesus said I come that’s you might have ? life. What kind of life? Spiritual life and Eternal life, and even that a more abundant life. So its more than life, it’s a reigning life with Christ

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2 To rule as a king with the king

3 Its turns a common man into a prince.

4 Its turns a slave into a king.

5 It turns a child of Adam in to a child of God

6 It turns a dead man into a living man.

7 TO REIGN IN LIFE WITH CHRIST MEANS WHAT

a. A truly meaningful life, life on the “higher plane” life that really is worthwhile is found only in “the promises of life in Christ Jesus 2 Timothy 1:1. John 10:10

b. A new quality of life.

God now uses the words much more applying them to those who accept the abundance of His grace and of His gift of righteousness, saying these shall reign as kings in life through the One Jesus Christ.xx

Romans 8:39; Matthew 25:334; 1 Corinthians 4:8; 2 Timothy 2:12; James 2:5; 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6; 3:21;5:9;

Our spiritual reign is far greater than Adam’s earthy reign. The believer’s resurrection and participation in Christ’s reign here on earth and in Heaven.

1A THE OUTCOME OF EACH MAN’S ACT: THE EFFECT

2A THE RANGE OF EACH MAN’S ACT: THE EXTENT

3A THE PROVISION OF EACH MAN’S ACT: THE EFFICACY

4A THE MOST IMORTANT FEATURE: THE ESSENCE

Romans 5:17 THEREFORE AS BY THE OFFENSE OF ONE JUDGMENT CAME UPON ALL MEN TO CONDEMNATION2631 EVEN SO BY THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF ONE THE FREE GIFT COMES UPON ALL MEN UNTO JUSTIFICATION1347 OF LIFE 2222

Let’s sum all this up. Verses 12-18. It is only when we get to verse 18 that the second shoe finally falls and we get the full

impact of the contrast. Paul backs up to give it, restating the first part again, although in slightly different words: “[1] Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, [2] so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men.”There we have it!xxi

We have heard a lot about universal salvation these last couple of weeksxxii

But Paul is not talking about Universal salvation.

Romans 5:18 THEREFORE (in conclusion) 11 Charles e. Whisnant, Romans 5:15-21 Manuscript sermon

ONE1520 OFFENSE 3900 xxiii

One man Adam committed one act of selfish disobedience resulting in condemnation for “all men.” And as a result all men are born condemned and are all guilty as they stand before God, and fully deserving the eternal flames of hell.

Is literally a falling aside and describes a deviation from living according to what has been revealed as the right way to live.

TRANSGRESSION: PARAPTOMA

o Conveys the idea of a false step and so is translated a transgression. In Englilsh means to go beyond or overstep a limit or boundary.

o There is a subtle distinction between SIN and TRANSGRESSION Transgression: is that we have crossed a line, challenging God’s boundaries Sin is that we have missed the mark.

OF ONE JUDGMENT CAME UPON ALL MEN

Footnote: Paul is using ALL MEN with two different meanings for the sake of parallelism, The firsts ALL covers all humanity who are born into Adam The second ALL refers to that part of the first ALL who by grace through faith are reborn into the LAST Adam

TO CONDEMNATION2631

To pronounce sentence against. To judge as definitely guilty.

EVEN SO BY THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF ONE THE FREE GIFT COMES UPON ALL MEN UNTO JUSTIFICATION1347 OF LIFE 2222

Does the mean that Christ died for ALL men? I don’t agree that ALL means ALL in the sense of all men. But ALL in the sense that those who will believe by faith in Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:19 For as through the one man's disobedience3876 the many were made 525sinners

Were made sinners - Adam’s one act of disobedience made all sinners—not just possessors of a sin nature, but guilty of the act of sin. They were born as members of a race already separated from God.

Matthew Henry: The disobedience of the first Adam ruined us, the obedience of the second Adam saved us.

even so through the obedience5218 of the One the many will be made 2525righteous.1342 (NASB:

Hebrews 5:8; 10:5-9; Philippians 2:5-10 Jesus humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. MADE: to declare or to show to be.

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Because of Adam’s disobedience, the many were appointed by God to be sinners. They were put down in the category of and constituted to be sinners. Because of Christ’s obedience, the many will be appointed to be righteous. Amazing grace that saved wretches such as we!

John MacArthur draws a practical conclusion from this passage commenting that...

The person who genuinely belongs to Jesus Christ will reflect that same spirit of obedience, because he has Christ’s own life within him. When a person places his trust in Christ, he not only is declared righteous forensically but is actually made righteous, that is, given an inward righteousness that must and will bear fruit. As long as a believer is in the flesh, he will have the shortcomings and weaknesses of the flesh, and his righteousness will not be manifested perfectly. But if a person’s life is characterized by sin and shows no fruit of the Holy Spirit ( see notes Galatians 5:22; 5:23), that person has no legitimate claim on Christ. The person who is made righteous by Christ will live righteously

1A THE OUTCOME OF EACH MAN’S ACT: THE EFFECT

2A THE RANGE OF EACH MAN’S ACT: THE EXTENT

3A THE PROVISION OF EACH MAN’S ACT: THE EFFICACY

4A THE MOST IMORTANT FEATURE: THE ESSENCE

5A THE ENERGIZING FORCE: WHAT IS THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THESE TWO THINGS.

Romans 5:20 MOREOVER THE LAW3551 ENTERED,3922 THAT THE OFFENSE MIGHT BOUND.

What energizes sin? The Law: What energizes righteousness? Grace

Now that the parallel between Adam and Christ is closed, the question arises as to the question of the position and office of the Law. How did it stand related to Adam and Christ?

So just as sin entered the world through Adam in Romans 5:12 here in Romans 5:20 Paul says the Law of Moses "entered in beside" or alongside sin.

Men were sinners long before the Law was given and God had begun implementation of His plan of salvation before the Law was given).

The purpose of the Law’s entrance into the world was not to redeem men for only Christ could accomplish this great objective.

Don't misunderstand the purpose of the Law for it was not given in order to make men sinful. As Paul explained in Romans 5:12-19 man did not need to be made sinful for he is born sinful and that is why he commits sins. Instead, Paul explains that the Law was given so that sin might be made more evident.

(THAT THE OFFENSE MIGHT ABOUND).xxiv

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The offense is proliferating because the law, when encountering the flesh, bring to mind its natural antagonism to God, therefore so stimulates it into disobedience. Galatians 3:19. Romans 7:7. And the idea that the Law would bring to mind the need of redemption.

The Mosaic Law is not defective. The Law made men more aware of their own sinfulness and their inability to keep God’s perfect standard. The Law help drive the sinner to Christ. Therefore the Law was good and holy and righteous because it make obvious to men his need for a Savior.

BUT WHERE SIN ABOUNDED4121, GRACE DID MUCH MORE ABOUND:5248

Okay, if the Law creates in us , shows us our sinfulness, than GRACE that will dwell in the believer will much more create in us a desire to live more and more to the glory of God inwardly. Christ’s life is more powerful than Adam’s life. Listen the Christ’s life is greater, much more that the old Adam life.

ABOUND AND ABOUNDED

In the Greek, these are two different words. “Where sin overflowed, grace flooded in.” Where sin measurable increased, grace immeasurably increased,

Where sin abounded – pleonazo. Grace did much more abound –huper-perisseuo.o That prefix “huper” in the Latin is SUPER.o WHERE SIN WAS FINITE, GRACE WAS INFINITE?

When sin reached a high-water mark, grace completely flooded the world. Barnhouse. J.B. Phillips put it this way: Though sin is shown to be wide and deep, thank God His grace is wider

and deeper still.

As Spurgeon says,

the Law is a storm that wrecks your hopes of self-salvation, but at the same time washes you up upon the Rock of Ages,

not only rescued, but restored and raised to the side of the Eternal God.

Who would not want to cry out in joy! The words of Julia Johnston convey a beautiful picture of this overflowing grace... you might consider pausing a moment and singing this hymn as you worship the God of all grace...

Grace Greater than Our Sin

Grace, grace, God’s grace,Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;Grace, grace, God’s grace,Grace that is greater than all our sin.

Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold,Threaten the soul with infinite loss;Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.

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Romans 5:21 THAT AS SIN HATH REIGNED UNTO DEATH, EVEN SO MIGHT GRACE REIGN THROUGH RIGHTEOUSNESS UNTO ETERNAL LIFE BY JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD.

So as the chapter began with security, the certainly of our salvation, now ends with a note of eternal life by the same ONE, Jesus Christ, our LORD>

A MOST OFTEN QUESTION THAT HAS BEEN ASKED OVER THE YEARS IS THIS:

Why did God allow sin to enter into the world?

The answer might be, God has received far more glory and man has received far more blessings through Christ’s sacrifice than if sin had never came into the world. We are far better off in Christ than we ever could have been in an unfallen Adam.

If Adam had never sinned, he would have enjoyed continued life on earth in the Garden of Eden. But he had no prospect of becoming a redeemed child of God, an heir of God or a joint-heir with Christ. He had no promise of a home in heaven or of being with Chdrist and like Him forever. And all these could have only come through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ our Lord.

THE END OF THE NOTES FROM ROMANS 5:12-21

15 Charles e. Whisnant, Romans 5:15-21 Manuscript sermon

i http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Romans%205.6-21

ii http://www.pbc.org/files/messages/4543/0012.htmlhttp://www.gty.org/Resources/Sermons/45-44

TO REIGN IN LIFE by Ray C. Stedman

http://www.studylight.org/com/guz/view.cgi?book=ro&chapter=5&verse=1

iii http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/adam-christ-and-justification-part-1

iv http://www.gty.org/Resources/Sermons/80-85

v http://bible.org/seriespage/curse-cure-romans-512-21

By implication, a number of important principles become evident and are exemplified in our text. As we conclude, let us consider four of these principles.

(1) God takes sin seriously. Throughout the Bible, and in the world about us, men are constantly trying to minimize sin and its consequences. But the Bible constantly emphasizes the seriousness of sin. Our text dramatically illustrates the seriousness of sin. Look at the devastation one sin brought to the human race: Adam’s sin brought about his own death, but it also condemned all mankind to death. Who can say that sin is not serious?

Adam’s transgression was not even such that most people would call it sin. At best, men might look upon Adam’s sin as a misdemeanor, something as evil as spitting on the sidewalk (still illegal in some towns and cities, I am told). Adam simply ate the fruit of a tree.139 What was the problem? The problem was that God had commanded Adam not to eat of the tree (Genesis 2:16-17). An act which men would hardly even think of as sin becomes the cause of man’s downfall. God does take sin very seriously, and so must we.

It is not surprising that those who deny Jesus Christ as God’s Savior would tend to minimize sin. But it is greatly disappointing that Christians do likewise. Why do many of us ignore some of God’s commands—because we do not think they apply to us, or because we disagree with God’s commands, or simply because we do not want to obey? Here is but one illustration. The Bible has some very clear words to the church about the role which women should play in relation to their husbands. Why has the majority of Christendom found compelling reasons to utterly ignore such commands, as though they did not exist? God does not command us to do those things with which we agree, or in the doing of which we find good reason to obey. God tests our obedience by commanding us to do that which is contrary to our intellect, emotions, and will but which is consistent with His character and His Word. Let us beware of setting aside God’s commands. Adam did, and we died. Jesus was obedient, and thus we live.

(2) Our identity is found either in Adam or in Christ. Self-esteem has become the watchword of our age. Sin is now defined by at least one preacher as poor self-esteem. Sinful acts are said to be rooted in poor self-esteem. The highest good seems to be to have a “good self-image.” And thus the world,

joined by many Christians, occupies itself by constantly looking backward and inward, into self, to develop a healthy self-love. Paul will have none of this. For Paul, looking backward, even to those things in which he once took great pride, meant he now saw them as dung (Philippians 3).

Ultimately, our identity and our worth are wrapped up in one of two persons: Adam or Christ. All that we are in and of ourselves, we are in Adam. We may contemplate and fabricate our own worth as much as we like, but we are, in Adam, sinners, worthy of death. Why do we keep trying to make something good of something the Bible calls bad? The identity of the Christian is in Christ. Let us dwell upon Him. Let us look to Him. Let us keep Him central in our hearts and minds. This is the consistent exhortation of the Word of God, and especially of the New Testament epistles.

(3) Those who are the victims of Adam’s sin are also guilty of personal sin, of their own doing. The word “victim” is rapidly becoming one of the most popular terms in our English vocabulary. We are considered victims of an infinite array of abuses. As “victims” we are absolved of all guilt and responsibility. We not only are justified in blaming others, we are urged to do so. We are told we are victims, and thus we say, “It isn’t my fault, I was victimized.”

In one sense, all mankind is the victim of Adam’s sin. But let us remember that while Paul seems to speak of mankind as a victim of Adam’s sin in Romans 5, he also says that we sinned in Adam. We are not relieved of our own guilt and culpability in the matter of sin. Even those who lived before the Law was given were sinners. We who have the full revelation of God in Christ and in His Word are even more accountable. But beyond this, we must not forget that in Romans 1-3 Paul finds every man guilty before God, not because of what Adam did, but because each individual has rejected the revelation of God given to him or to her. Yes, we are guilty because Adam sinned (Romans 5), but we are also guilty because we have sinned (Romans 1-3, especially 3:23).

In Romans Paul does not dwell on men as victims but on men as responsible individuals. We are, first, responsible for our decision concerning the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are, as Christians, responsible for our actions. Let us not over-emphasize the victim aspect of life but rather the fact that in Christ we are victors, “more than conquerors” (Romans 8:37).

(4) Birth is both the cause and the cure for man’s sin. In studying this Romans passage, it occurred to me that perhaps no other New Testament text better explains the words of our Lord, spoken to Nicodemus, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). John introduced this man Nicodemus as a “Pharisee” and as a “ruler of the Jews” (John 3:1), but Jesus referred to him as, “the teacher of Israel” (3:10). No doubt this teacher, this renowned teacher, had taught about Adam, about his fall, and the downfall of the human race. But Nicodemus, if he was like the rest of the Pharisees, trusted in his physical descent from Abraham and in the possession of the Law. What a shock it must have been for Nicodemus when Jesus told him that entrance into God’s kingdom required a second birth!

Yet this expression, “born again,” should not have been a foreign thought to Nicodemus. It should have caused him to think in those terms in which Paul is speaking in Romans 5. How was it that the human race fell into sin? It was on account of Adam. But how did each individual fall under the curse? It was by being born. Birth made one a son of Adam and thus a sinner (see David’s words in Psalm 51:5-7). The solution to the guilt of sin, encountered at birth, was another birth, a second birth. In order to be saved, men must exchange their identity with Adam (by which they are condemned) to an identity with Christ (by which they are justified). As birth was the source of a man’s sin, so another birth is the

solution.

This is what the gospel is all about. Jesus Christ came to the earth to offer men a cure for the curse which Adam’s sin brought upon all mankind. The gospel confronts us with a choice. Will we remain in Adam, subject to the penalty of death? Or will we accept God’s provision for a new identity, in Christ? Being “born again” is our Lord’s way of speaking of that point in a person’s life when they acknowledge their own sin, their own guilt, and the just sentence upon them of death. It is ceasing to trust in what we are and clinging to who Jesus Christ is. It is finding our identity in Christ, rather than in Adam. It is turning from condemnation to justification, from death to life, and from Adam to Jesus Christ.

Have you been born again? As it was necessary for Nicodemus, a famous religious leader and teacher, it is necessary for you. Will you choose death or life, Adam or Christ? There is no more important decision you will ever make than this. The salvation which God has offered in Jesus Christ is not automatic. It must be received (Romans 5:17). Receive it today.

vi http://www.spurgeongems.org/vols25-27/chs1591.pdf

vii REIGN http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=936

1. to be king, to exercise kingly power, to reign

a. of the governor of a province

b. of the rule of the Messiah

c. of the reign of Christians in the millennium

2. metaph. to exercise the highest influence, to control

viii TWENTY REASONSNOT TO SIN!

Just for "fun" take a moment to review the following list of 20 reasons not to commit sins (hamartano)...

1. A little sin leads to more sin.2. Sin invites the discipline of God.3. The time spent in my sin is forever wasted.4. My sin never pleases but always grieves the God Who loves me.5. My sin places a greater burden on my spiritual leaders.6. In time, sin always brings heaviness to my heart.7. Others, including my family, suffer consequences due to my sin.8. My sin makes the enemies of God rejoice.9. Sin deceives me into believing I have gained when in reality I have lost.10. Sin may keep me from qualifying for spiritual leadership.11. The supposed benefits of sin will never outweigh the consequences of disobedience.

12. Repenting of sin is a painful process.13. My sin may influence others to sin.14. My sin may keep others from knowing Christ.15. Sin makes light of the Cross, upon which Christ died for the very purpose of taking away my sin.16. It is impossible to sin and follow the Spirit at the same time.17. Others more earnest than I have been destroyed by just such sins.18. God chooses not to hear the prayers of those who cherish their sin (Ps 66:18).19. My unwillingness to reject this sin now grants it authority over me greater than I understand.20. I promised God He would be the Lord of my life. (Source unknown)

Sin will take you farther than you ever thought you’d straySin will leave you so lost, you think you’ll never find your way

Sin will keep you longer than you ever thought you’d staySin will cost you more than you ever thought you’d pay

ix SIMILITUDE http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=3667

1. that which has been made after the likeness of something

a. a figure, image, likeness, representation

b. likeness i.e. resemblance, such as amounts almost to equality or identity

x SPURGEON’S SERMON HONEY FROM A LION ROMANS 5:16 So we will not at this time listen to this side nor to that; but we will bow our ear to hear what the Scripture

itself hath to say apart from all the noise of sect and party. My object shall be to find out in the text that which is practically of use to us, that which may save the unconverted, that which may comfort and build up those of us who are brought into a state of reconciliation with God; for I have of late been so often shut up in my sick chamber that when I do come forth I must be more than ever eager for fruit to the glory of God. We shall not, therefore, dive into the deeps with the hope of finding pearls, for these could not feed hungry men; but we will navigate the surface of the sea, and hope that some favoring wind will bear us to the desired haven with a freight of corn wherewith to supply the famishing. May the Holy Spirit bless the teaching of this hour to the creation and nourishment of saving faith.

xi OFFENENSE http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=3900

xii Ray Pritchard http://www.keepbelieving.com/sermon/1991-04-07-When-Having-It-All-Is-Not-Enough/

xiii Alumin All Day Ministers seminar No. 9 1983

xiv FREE GIFT http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=5486

xv Albert Barnesxvi Condemnation (2631)(katakrima from katá = against, down + kríno = basic meaning was "to separate" from which the idea of discriminate, distinguish, and then to judge or pronounce sentence against) literally is judgment coming down on someone.

means to judge someone as definitely guilty and thus subject to punishment, which accounts for the literal translation of "adverse judgment and resultant punishment". It is a legal technical term for the result of judging, including both the sentence and the execution or the sentence followed by a suggested punishment (The suffix -ma makes it the result of judgment).

is always an adverse verdict. Stated another way, (condemnation) relates to the sentencing for a crime, but its primary focus is not so

much on the verdict as on the penalty that the verdict demands http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=2631

xvii http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=2983to take

a. to take with the hand, lay hold of, any person or thing in order to use it

1. to take up a thing to be carried

2. to take upon one's self

b. to take in order to carry away

1. without the notion of violence, i,e to remove, take away

c. to take what is one's own, to take to one's self, to make one's own

1. to claim, procure, for one's self 1c

d. to associate with one's self as companion, attendant

xviii Frederic Louis Godet Commentary on Romans

xix (Wuest, K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Eerdmans)

xx William Newell

xxi JAMES MONTGROMERY BOICE

xxii On the web site March 2011 Rob Bell on being something of a UNIVERSALIST.1. http://tallskinnykiwi.typepad.com/tallskinnykiwi/2011/03/rob-bell-on-being-something-of-a-universalist.html?

utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Tallskinnykiwi+%28TallSkinnyKiwi%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

2. http://newleaven.com/2011/03/10/is-rob-bell-that-desperate/

Rob Bell, Hell, and the wisdom of Augustine http://against-heresies.blogspot.com/

3.xxiii http://www.studylight.org/lex/grk/view.cgi?number=3900

1. to fall beside or near something

2. a lapse or deviation from truth and uprightness

a. a sin, misdeed

xxiv Spurgeon writes;

It was the practical result of the giving of the law that men became greater sinners than they were before, and it was the design of the law that they should see themselves to be greater sinners than before. The law is the looking-glass in which we see our spots, but it is not the basin in which we wash them away. The law has a provoking power, for such is-the perversity of our nature that, no sooner do we hear the command, “You shall not do so-and-so,” than at once we want to do it. Our nature is very much like quicklime. Throw cold water upon it, and straightway it generateth heat; acting, as it were, against the nature of that which is cast upon it. (Ed note: Quicklime is Calcium oxide which reacts with H2O to form calcium hydroxide, this reaction called slaking giving off much heat and causing the solid to nearly double in volume.) So, the more God says to a man, “Thou shalt,” the more the man says, “I will not;” and the more God says to him, “Thou shalt not,” the more doth the man resolve that he will. “The law entered, that the offense might abound.” It reveals the depravity and disobedience of human nature, and lays us low before God as convicted criminals.

Just as, sometimes, a physician may give a medicine which causes the disease to be more fully developed in order to its ultimate cure, so does the law make a discovery of our sin to us, and it also excites us to greater sin, by reason of the enmity of our nature, which is opposed to the law of God, and becomes the more active the more clearly the law is known, even as Paul says, further on in this Epistle (see note Romans 7:7), “I had not known lust, except the law had