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“And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification.” Romans 5:16
From this passage, Adam and Jesus are sometimes known as the two men. Between them they represent all humanity, and everyone is identified in either Adam or Jesus. We are born identified with Adam; we may be born again into identification with Jesus (see John 3:3). If we choose Adam, we receive judgment and condemnation. If we choose Jesus, we receive a free gift of God’s grace that leads to justification. Justification is an image from the court of law. Justification solves the problem of man’s guilt before a righteous Judge.
We need to take a close look into what this “free gift” accomplished. Adam gave an offense that had consequences for the entire human race – as a result of Adam’s offense, many died. Jesus gives a free gift that has consequences for the entire human race, but in a different way. Through the free gift of Jesus, the grace of God... abounded to many. Adam’s work brought death but Jesus’ work brings grace that leads to justification.
My prayer for us today is that we rejoice in this free gift: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,”
Ephesians 2:8
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