Week 12 - Saturday

Different in Effect

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.

In Romans 5:12-21 Paul presents an analogy about Adam and Christ. Webster's Dictionary defines an analogy as similarity in some respects between things that are otherwise unlike. The similarity between Adam and Christ is that in both cases, one act by one man affected the destiny of all mankind. Sin and death were made inevitable for all men because of Adam's sin. Forgiveness of sin and eternal life were made possible for all men by the sacrifice of Jesus. In verses 15-21 Paul completes the analogy of Adam and Christ, by giving us five contrasts to show the ways in which the act of Adam and the act of Christ are not alike.

The first way in which the acts of Adam and Christ are not like each other is in their effect. Not only are their acts different in effect, but they are totally opposite. Adam's act had a very negative effect while Christ's had a very positive one. The effect of Adam's transgression (another word for sin) was that many died as a result of it. Adam's sin caused death to fall on all mankind. That is about as negative of an effect as possible. On the other hand, the act of Jesus Christ had the most positive effect possible. The result of Christ's act was that it caused the grace of God to abound to many.

The word grace means favor or kindness that is given without regard to whether or not the person receiving it deserves it. When the word grace is associated with God it refers to His mercy, love and compassion. Salvation is only available because of the grace of God. No one deserves it. It can only be received as a gift. One thing all gifts have in common with each other is that they are free. A gift, by its very definition is free. However, some gifts are greater than others. The words "free gift" have been translated from the Greek word charisma, which means a special or divine gift. When Jesus died on the cross for our sins, it was by far the most special gift anyone could possibly give. The perfectly righteous Son of God died on the cross, so that wretched ungodly sinners could receive God's grace. How could any gift could be greater than that?

Christ's one act was greater than Adam's because it had a positive effect on man while Adam's had a negative one. But even more wonderful than that, Christ's act was more effective than Adam's because it can not be nullified or reversed. Adam's one act brought sin and death to all mankind. Sin can kill you and send you to hell forever. However, the power that sin has over a person can be broken through faith in Jesus Christ. The one act of Christ gave us the gift of God's grace, which is permanent. It can never be nullified or reversed. Once a person has been saved from their sin through faith in Jesus Christ, they are saved forever.

Readings for today: Rom. 6:23; 2 Tim. 1:10; John 10:28; Rom. 11:29