Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
Romans 5:12-21 (NIV)
Death Through Adam, Life Through Christ
12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—13 To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come. 15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! 16 Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! 18 Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. 20 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
How has the sin of Adam affected his descendants today?
This world is filled with sin and evil. It is everywhere and spreading. There was a time when Adam was isolated from sin within the confines of the Garden and Satan’s power of temptation was limited to the area of a tree. After Adam sinned, he was expelled from the safety of that garden and he and all humanity after him were then subjected to a world of temptation. Satan is stronger than any of us so we have no ability in ourselves to resist him and therefore we all come under his bondage. Adam’s one sin led to condemnation for all and made evil available to a world that You created and called good. Adam’s sin means that we all stand condemned, however, I am not condemned for Adam’s sin, but for my own sin. As strong as Satan is, You are stronger. The power of Your death and resurrection is vast enough to remove all my guilt, no matter how overwhelming it may seem. Your act of righteousness on the cross makes it possible for God to count me righteous also and to give me life. Your righteousness leads to my righteousness. Lord, thank you so much for the death of Jesus on my behalf. Thank you that although I deserve judgment and condemnation, you have made it possible for me to be justified and to receive the righteousness from God by grace as a gift. Amen