Paul does not sugarcoat the truth: we are sinners and deserve death.
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all people, because all sinned. (Romans 5:12 NIV)
Death
We inherited death from our ancestors, so sin dwells deep in our soul like a virus. Sin makes us defective creatures, and death entered the world from Adam down to our generation.
The Law was given to Moses, and our eyes are open to the ugliness of sin and the beauty of obedience. Yet still, death could not be erased. We are a time-bomb with a timer, and sin pushes the self-destruct button.
By the one, Adam, the many died!
For dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. (Genesis 3:19 NIV)
Life
Without the shedding of blood, there’s no forgiveness.
Jesus freely offered His perfect divine blood.
Death spread to all people because of one man, Adam, and the gift of eternal life came from one Man, Christ Jesus. When God created Adam and Eve, He blessed them. It is His default to love and bless.
This has now been made evident through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who has abolished death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. (2 Timothy 1:10 NIV)
Satan came with one purpose, and that was corruption of the blessing of God. Because of disobedience, we are cursed with death.
Sin brought judgment, resulting in condemnation. In Christ Jesus, there is therefore now no condemnation.
Since by one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one Man, Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:17 NIV)
Disobedience was the original sin, but by the obedient, righteous act of Christ, there is justification (just as if we’ve never sinned) to all who believe. We were ruined by Adam’s sin, but saved by the free gift. Life eternal comes to anyone unless they obey.
The gift is not like the trespass.
We, as Adam’s offspring, lost everything. We lost the Garden of Eden with all its delightful fellowship with God. Likewise, we lost the freedom from death and health. We became subjects of pain, heartache, and weakness.
In the Great Fall, we lost the intimacy of knowing God. In the Great Divorce, we gained the death pangs of the estranged.
At just the right time, Christ died for the ungodly and unlovely sinners. By grace, the gift of unmerited favor came to the unfavored, undeserving, guilty, and sinful humankind. In Christ, we are given the safe place of salvation.
When we sit down and think about it. The greatest loss for all in Adam was the pure fellowship with God.
“All the first Christians could face death with a smile.” M. Lloyd-Jones.
Without the gift, there is no “with-God” life.
The gracious gift of salvation opened ushers us into His presence. The miracle? A sinner in the presence of a Holy God!
Christ did not come because he perceived any goodness, potential, or lovely traits of character. No. Because of His great and loyal love, Christ came to reconcile our souls to Himself and bring life eternal.
God’s character couldn’t leave us alone in our sinful state.
The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love. He will not always accuse us or be angry forever. He has not dealt with us as our sins deserve, or repaid us according to our iniquities.
Human beings need their souls restored, refreshed, reconciled, and redeemed. The ordinary wear and tear of sin is hell on earth. Communion and sweet fellowship with Christ, the gift of salvation, give us what we lost and so much more.
Our confidence in Him, our energy toward Him, our determination for Him, and our willingness to serve Him. We are secure our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, for there we find the gift of peace that passes all understanding.
Bless the LORD, oh my soul, and let everything with us bless His Holy name!
The truth: by the sin of Adam, all human beings became sinners, alienated from God. However, by the righteousness of Christ Jesus, we’re restored to right-standing with God.
For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:21-22 NIV)
From the beginning, it was a matter of life and death.
Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin. The Judgment followed sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. (Romans 5:16 NIV)
I guess I keep repeating myself because it is that important.
Adam and Eve sinned! In sinning, we human beings became defective. We were born with the free will not to sin. The defection could not be repaired by excusing the multitude of sins that followed.
Sin hurts the soul.
Sin after sin filled the earth, and the stench of it reached heaven. Not even the flood could destroy it. The rainbow is a reminder of God’s great love. Instead of another flood or fire and brimstone, God sent His Son.
The gift was greater than the trespass!
We can trade judgment for forgiveness. We can trade our sin for Christ’s righteousness. Jesus offers us a new nature, born again into the Family of God. It begins with forgiveness and ends in eternal life.
If we do nothing, we die.
As we take that wonderful step of faith, we are forever changed—born again.
The “with-God” life is a continual step-by-step of obedience. Our final step is entering the new heaven and the new earth, where God dwells forever with His people.
Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with Me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. I am the Alpha and the Omega. The first and the last, the Beginning and the End.
Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
I, Jesus, sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star… He who testified of these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen. (Revelation 22:12-16 and 20-21 NIV)
The With-God Life.
The with-God life leads us to our true destiny. We are redeemed and twice born, we are free to love God and obey. Through God’s power, not our own, we obey.
Yes, we stumble and fall, but God is quick to catch us, dust us off, and hold us in His loving arms.
The blood of Jesus covers a multitude of sins!
The world was ruined by sin and rescued by Christ. The world remains in sin through disobedience and rescued by Christ through obedience.
The trespass is nothing like the gift!
To live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21 NIV)
This is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God.
Republished with permission from Blogs.crossmap.com, featuring inspiring Bible verses about life and death.
