First and Second Adam

            "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned" (Romans 5:12) just about sums up the whole problem. Paul goes on to say that "death reigned from Adam to Moses", at which time the Law was introduced. Through Adam's disobedience sin and death passed to me and with it judgment and condemnation. The actions of one person thousands of years ago still impact our lives today.

            Jesus, on the other hand, has a different impact on us. Jesus, as the second Adam, offers the free gift of grace, abundant grace, justification, and righteousness, which will reign in us all. This all occurs because of the obedience of one man, the man Christ Jesus. Again, the actions of one person thousands of years ago has a serious impact on our lives.

            In Romans 7 Paul refers to the law as spiritual. It is the law that illuminates our sinfulness. Without the law there is no knowledge of sin. It is this knowledge that helps one realise that they are dead in their trespasses and sins. Paul also speaks of another law. This is the law of sin. There is an almighty struggle between good and evil, which occurs in one. Our fallen nature will always war against the spirit. We have only one hope of escaping the law of death and that is through our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul quotes Habakkuk 2:4 when he said the "just shall live by faith." Justification comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Specifically, by grace through faith we are saved. This has always been God's plan.

Paul said, "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." (Romans 3:20) and "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ." (Romans 3:24) I love the word grace. It speaks to God's divine unmerited favour and His divine influence in our lives that brings about both salvation and sanctification. We are also justified by the precious blood of Jesus Christ as mentioned in Romans 5:9. "And without shedding of blood is no remission", says the writer of Hebrews.

We are all born under the penalty of the law of sin. The law that is spiritual makes us aware of our sin and shows us our complete inability to overcome sin and death without Jesus. Jesus comes along side us and removes our sin debt by His grace, faith, and blood. All of which gives us freedom from and power over sin.