Because He Lives, April 12, 2020
Romans 5:12-21
12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus 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 to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. 15 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. 16 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. 17 For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.)
18 Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The history of humanity is really the tale of two men. Adam, the first man, was perfectly created by God and lived in a perfect world. He knew God and reflected His likeness. But he rebelled against the God who loved him. He doubted God’s word, distrusted God’s goodness, and defied God’s law. His penalty was corruption and death to all mankind.
Jesus Christ, the second man, was the eternal Son of God who took on flesh and came to live among us in this evil world. He perfectly fulfilled God’s law, revealed God’s goodness, and spoke God’s word. He lovingly obeyed God His Father in giving His life on the cross for humanity. His reward was resurrection and the gift of eternal life for all mankind.
The first plunged humanity into sin. The second freed people from sin. One caused condemnation; the other achieved justification. The first initiated mortality. The second inaugurated immortality. The first brought death, the second gives life. Paul writes about this in 1 Corinthians 15:
20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.
The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the greatest event of all human history. Jesus’ death reconciled us to God and His resurrection brought us eternal salvation. Everything has changed because Jesus lives and gives life. The chorus of Gaither’s great hymn says,
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone,
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!
Paul wrote in Romans 5:10, “For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”
In the rest of Romans 5 Paul picks up on that idea, of “much more” to show how much greater, how much more certain, is what Christ has done for us through His death and resurrection. First, Romans 5:15 we see that,
1. Because He Lives, God’s Grace is Greater than our Sin (Rom. 5:15)
15 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.
Paul contrasts the devastating effects of Adam’s transgression—the many died—with the glorious effects of God’s free gift and grace, which abounds to the many.
The “much more” refers to the superlative nature of salvation over judgment. Paul piles up words like “grace,” “gift,” and “abound” to emphasize how wonderful God’s gift of salvation is, provided freely to us at Christ’s expense. It is an undeserved gift and it abounds to us through the grace of God.
The word “offense” means to trespass, to step over the line. You “trespass” when you enter someone’s property illegally. It’s what happens when you deliberately break a rule. Someone may draw a line in the sand and say, “If you cross that line, you’ll be in trouble.” Trespassing is what you do when you say, “Oh yeah! You just watch me.” And you step across the line.
That’s what happened in Eden. God drew a line in the sand and said, “Don’t cross it; don’t eat of that tree.” Adam had the attitude, “Watch me.” And he deliberately “crossed the line” when he ate the forbidden fruit. What Adam did was an act of total selfishness.
In contrast, when Jesus died on the cross, He died for others. He had no sin of His own, so He could be die for Himself. His death was a substitute for sinners. Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” He died for us. He did it for you. That’s why Paul calls it “God’s grace” and “the gift”.
I love the modern hymn by Matt Boswell and Matt Papa, His Mercy Is More. It says,
What love could remember, no wrongs we have done
Omniscient, all-knowing, He counts not their sum
Thrown into a sea without bottom or shore
Our sins they are many, His mercy is more
What riches of kindness He lavished on us
His blood was the payment His life was the cost
We stood ‘neath a debt we could never afford
Our sins they are many, His mercy is more
Praise the Lord, His mercy is more
Stronger than darkness, New every morn’
Our sins they are many, His mercy is more
Christ’s righteous deed was greater than Adam’s evil deed, even as love is greater than selfishness. Because He lives God’s grace is greater than our sin.
Next in Romans 5:16 we see that,
2. Because He Lives, Salvation is Greater than Condemnation (Rom. 5:16)
16 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.
How many sins did Adam have to commit in order to bring condemnation to the world? Only one. That’s all it took. One sin and the world was plunged into darkness. One man, one sin, condemnation comes to the whole world.
On the other side of the ledger, how many sins were forgiven in the death of Christ? Paul says “many offenses.” What Jesus did paid the price not just for Adam’s sin but for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2, And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world). Thus the power of Jesus’ death and resurrection is far greater than the power of Adam’s single, solitary sin.
Adam lit the forest fire that devastated the human race, but Christ not only put it out, He planted a new forest, an eternal one, for all who will receive His gracious gift.
Because He lives grace is greater than our sin. Because He lives, justification is greater than condemnation. Finally in Romans 5:17,
3. Because He Lives, Life in Christ is Greater Than Death (Rom. 5:17)
17 For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.
Adam’s sin brought death upon the whole human race. Death reigned. But what Christ did for us in His resurrection is far greater than what Adam did through his sin. Not only does Christ end the reign of death that came through Adam, He also gives His righteousness so that we will reign in life through Jesus Christ.
Because Jesus lives, God takes sinners like us who receive His grace and makes us to reign with Christ. He makes us kings and queens in His Kingdom. It is almost too good to be true. The triumph of God’s grace will not simply replace life with death, but will make us reign in life like kings in the presence of God our Father forever and ever.
Robert Lowry’s resurrection hymn says,
Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes.
He arose a victor from the dark domain,
And He lives forever with His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!
Conclusion:
How much sin have you piled up? God’s grace in Christ is greater!
How great is your guilt and condemnation? God’s free gift of justification is greater!
Is sin ruling in your life? God’s gift of righteousness in Christ is greater!
Today we celebrate the God’s gift of His Son Jesus Christ our risen Lord who has won the victory over sin, condemnation and death. What do you do with a gift? Receive it. You can do that today.
Admit your need for a Savior, that you are under the just condemnation of the Holy God who loves you. Turn away from the sin and selfishness in your life. Believe that Jesus died for your sin and rose to give you new life. Confess Him as Lord. Romans 10:9-10 says, “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
How do you receive God’s gift? Believing and confessing, you reach out and take it. You go to the cross believing Christ died for your sin. You go to the empty tomb believing Christ was raised to give you eternal life.
