God’s Grace in Romans | Adam A type of Salvation in Christ |
We saw from our last discussion that by the sin of one man, death passed upon all men, we all are born from Adam sinners whether we committed the actual sin or not until we are born again into the family of Christ where we receive the new nature.
Then the Apostle continues;
Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. Romans 5:14
Now if you have followed carefully from our previous discussion, we saw that until the law, God was not imputing men’s sins against them “Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses.”
Why will death still reign when God was not counting men’s sins against them?
First, man was now spiritually severed from God which is the real death having consequences.
Secondly, even though God was not imputing men’ sins against them; the wages of sin is death. When men yield to sin, they are yielding to the author of that sin which is the devil;
Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? Romans 6:16
So when you yield to sin, you are giving the enemy an inroad into your life who comes to steal, kill and to destroy (John 10:10). Unforgiveness kills you (Proverbs 11:17), strife introduces every evil work into your life (James 3:16), sexual immorality destroys you (1Corinthinas. 6:18).
We keep ourselves away from sin not because God’s judgment is hanging over us, but we have an enemy we don’t want to give place into our lives. When we live holy we keep the devil out of our lives and not to make God love us more, God is already pleased with us in Christ.
Therefore, “death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.”
Death reigned even over those that did not directly violate the command given to Adam in the Garden of Eden. Men all received sin not by directly eating of the fruit but by inheritance. Not fair, isn’t it?
How can you just be born a sinner without even knowing where the Garden of Eden is?
How can you be called a sinner because your forefather sinned?
How can you just receive the gift of sin when you have not “sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression,”
This is the mystery of the gospel of Christ. The mystery of righteousness, for we hear that what happened in the case of Adam “is the figure of him that was to come.”
By Adam’s sin we received the gift of sin when we didn’t commit the actual sin, but all this was a type of what Christ was to do for the sinner. In the case of Christ it would be the opposite, for we hear;
But not as the offense, so also is the free gift. For if through the offense of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. Romans 5:15
Through the offence of one man, Adam, we received the gift of death, however, one man called Jesus did something superior and opposite to what Adam did. By one man’s offence we received sin, and we also sinned, for sin was our very nature, however, by one man’s cross grace abounds;
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. Romans 5:16
By one man we received the gift of condemnation; a type, announcing that by Jesus we receive the free gift of justification from all our sins. As it was not fair in the case of Adam, even so it is not fair in the case of Christ. We rejoice over the bondage of sin today by the gift of justification through Christ.
May we sit and observe how we became sinners and receive holy anger to stand in the justification we have freely received from the grace of Christ that has come to us through his cross.
Confession
I am a child of God, a product of the resurrection life of Christ. By Christ I have come out of death and condemnation, and have received a justified life of glory.
I am crucified with Christ and raised up together with him, the person who could get sick, fail, and die died on the cross. Today I am seated with Christ in glory far above sickness and disease, poverty and lack, shame and unrest. I am free in Christ. Hallelujah!
Prophetic Insight
In an encounter with the Lord, I heard “What you see is a way of the Spirit. I have caused the hungry to move to the wilderness where I cause living waters to flow, where I turn dry grounds into water springs revealing my arm Strength.
You are where I have desired you to be, in this state, in this wilderness, I am causing pools of living waters to break forth.
Take your eyes off what you see and sow the fields, plant the seeds and receive fruits of increase. What you see is rather a revelation of my loving-kindness.
Child, I lead the hungry to dry places, and then I turn the dry grounds into springs of waters, bless and multiply them greatly. This is the mystery of encountering my blessing. Be wise, observe these things keenly and understand rather my love towards you.
Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD. Psalm 107:35-38, 43
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Jahfas Victor Ahua
Living Hill Christian Church.