Our Guilt, The Gavel, and The Gift

Psalm 32 / Romans 5:12-21

Our Guilt

Guilt - Accountability - Culpability

Sin = guilt for transgression of God’s Law

v15 - many died through one’s trespass

v16 - the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation

v19 - one man’s disobediance

Death = the consequence of sin separating us from God, who is the source of life

Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

The fallen, broken world is evidence of sin; sickness, disease, violence, and the inevitability of our own death

Our Guilt

Headship

Adam is our father - by One man’s transgression

Ambassadors, Olympians, Champions like David

Heredity

Inherited sin, thus the need of a fatherless / sinless substitute

Here and Now

v13 - sin was in the world before the law was given (codified by Moses)

v14 - death has reigned since Adam

John 3:18 “18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”

John 3:36 “36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”

The Gavel

v13 - sin is not counted where there is no law

The role of God’s law is not to create sin, but to identify it (2nd use)

The further role of the law; it’s telos is not only to identify, but to condemn sin, and necessarily sinners

v16 - the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation

Psalm 32:1-2 “1 Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.”

Jesus was tempted and did not sin in Matthew 4, but you have not

James 1:14-15 “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”

The result - v21 - sin reigned in death

John 3:36 “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”

Satan is called the accuser of the brethren because he brings accusation of sin against God’s people, like a prosecuting attorney, but he doesn’t have to lie.

There is only one verdict; not because God’s law isn’t just, but rather because it IS. HE is.

James 2:10 “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.”

The Gift

Galatians 2:16 “yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”

v16 - the free gift is NOT like the result of one man’s sin

Headship - Christ

Heredity - blessing and eternal life

Here and Now

Not just as if you’d never sinned, but as if you’d led the life of Christ!

The effect of the atonement of Christ not only meets, but far exceeds the need and the effects of sin!

Condemnation was earned; Forgiveness is a gift

Romans 5:20 “20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,”

Has the very present Spirit of God made you aware today that the guilt is yours?

That the sentence has been passed?

That the gavel has fallen?

Have you then, or will you today accept the gift? the free offer of Jesus?

He offers Himself and His eternal and righteous life in exchange for your sin and death.

Believe the gospel, the good news about Jesus is true!

Believe that Jesus is enough; He’s already done the doing / paid the price / served the necessary sentence of death!

Believe He did it for you, and you will be forever saved!