The only Remedy for Inherited Sin

Open: We have just completed two (2) full years of the Corona virus pandemic. We have experienced the 2 week shelter-in-place to flatten the curve, extended lock-downs, masking and double-masking, vaccinations, and now booster shots - all designed to combat one specific virus out of a multitude. A virus, that while deadly to some demographics, has not had much of an impact on others. No one can accurately determine the global cost of Covid, but it is astronomical!

Transition: My point is not to debate the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of the approaches to combatting Covid. My point is to highlight the lengths the world has gone to in its attempt to deal with a singular virus that has a survivability rate well into the 90 percentile. At the same time, the majority of these same people are ignoring a virus that has a staggering 100% death rate on the population - no one escapes the effect of this virus, but it is largely ignored and dismissed by multitudes. The virus or condition of sin is 100% deadly. An amazing 1 out of every 1 people die as a result of sin! Out of billions of billions of people who have ever drawn breath on planet earth, only 2 persons - Enoch and Elijah did not experience physical death.

Why is sin so deadly? Why does it affect every single person? Why do we have to die? Is there any hope for us when we die? Is there are cure for sin? If there is a cure, what is it? how do I get it?

These are all very important questions that are addressed in our text. Let’s read it together and learn God’s perspective on these vital issues.

READ the Text: Romans 5:12-21

Today’s passage, while extremely difficult to understand in its depths, has broad concepts that are readily apparent. The subject matter at hand is extremely important, so it is crucial that we come away with a solid understanding of what is involved.

We start with a summary of the passage, and then we are going to examine a few of the points in some depth:

Sin entered the world through Adam (Romans 5:12a)

Adam’s sin also brought death into the world (Romans 5:12b)

The judgement of Adam’s sin was condemnation to himself and all of his descendants. (Romans 5:16, 18a)

God graciously counters the condemnation that results from Adam’s sin with the free gift of Jesus (Romans 5:15b, 18b)

Sin is limited in that it can only destroy and bring death and judgment (Romans 5:17a), but the gift of God in Christ is magnitudes more effective in that it not only counters the curse, but it brings abundance of life (Romans 5:20c, 21b)

The default position of all humanity is IN ADAM (Romans 5:12, 16a, 17a)

Explanation: This section of Paul’s letter (Chapter 5) is a transition section. In Chapters 6 - 8 he is going to address how we grow in our faith as believers as we explore the hope that is ours in Christ. In the previous Paul has just addressed the benefits of justification. He has informed his readers that in Christ an individual has peace with God, access to grace, purpose in life, and the assurance of His love. Paul now explains the reason why it is only in Christ that we can have these things. He does this by showing that all of humanity finds itself under the judgment of condemnation as a result of Adam’s sin, and then contrasts the free gift of Jesus with the results of that condemnation.

Romans 5:12 teaches that the default position of humanity is condemnation. In some way that is not clearly expressed in the text, Adam’s sin had consequences that spread to all of his descendants. This is what is called Original Sin. While a satisfactory answer to all our questions are not set forth in this text, the biblical position is that all humanity is born with a sin nature as a result of Adam’s sin as the head of the human race.

The term sin is used to represent a force or a nature, not to be understood as specific actions (e.g. lying, stealing, coveting, etc) Being born with a sin nature explains the world we live in. We don’t sin and then become sinners; we sin because it is in our nature to sin.

Illustrate: any parent can attest to the reality of this condition. You do not have to teach a 2 year-old to lie or to disobey - he or she simply does it. We have to teach them to be honest, to tell the truth, to share, etc.

Argument: Our default condition is condemnation before a holy God. The Scripture does not clearly explain how we sinned in Adam; it simply declares that we did so - “for that all have sinned” (Rom 5:12c). Our default position in Adam is confirmed in other places:

Ephesians 2:1–3 KJV 1900

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Many people don’t ever think of themselves in this manner, but that doesn’t alter the biblical reality. When confronted with this truth, many may declare that it isn’t fair. Why should I be condemned for something I didn’t do? Why should I be born with a sin nature? I don’t like it - I don’t like it all. I don’t want to be represented by Adam, I want to be represented by myself!

Application: We are to tread lightly when confronted by biblical truth that we do not fully understand. God is not obligated to His creatures, and He has chosen to maintain some mystery as it relates to this area. As the people of The Book, we are called to believe what is presented.

The Good News (the Gospel) is that God in His marvelous Grace has given us the free gift of Jesus that not only reverses the curse, but grants abundant life

Explanation: One very important reason not to try to wiggle out of being represented by Adam with an inherited sin nature is the symmetry of Paul’s argument. This section is a contrast between the first Adam and the second Adam (cf 1 Cor 15:44-49). Paul clearly sets forth the effects of our condemnation through Adam and then shows the grace that is available through Jesus. The free gift is not like the sin (v. 16). Adam’s sin was a single act of disobedience that resulted in condemnation; the free gift overcomes multiple acts of disobedience (many offences). The perfect Obedience of Christ as the second Adam not only eradicates the consequences (no more spiritual death and eternal separation), but it provides and super-abundance of life (cf John 10:10b)

The phrase much more is used 5 times in this chapter (vv. 9, 10, 15, 17, 20). This phrase highlights the magnitude of difference between the sin and the free gift. Sin as a nature is powerful, but it can only destroy - it can never build. Faith in the finished work of Jesus surpasses taking us back to neutral, it brings us into the very throne room of glory! Praise be to God for His indescribable gift!

This is why we must accept our representation by the first Adam even when the result is negative. If we try to choose to represent ourselves, we will be unable to appropriate the alien righteousness of Christ applied to our account through faith. This is the reason that Jesus is the ONLY HOPE for humanity. Christianity is not a cultural religion, and not all religions are equal. The biblical truth is that IN ADAM we are condemned and without hope. It is only when we are IN CHRIST that we have peace with God and sure and confident hope for Eternity.

Conclusion: Let’s do a quick review as we close this service. Think of the following in a chart form:

IN ADAM IN CHRIST

Default position for humanity received by faith as the free gift

Dominated by sin nature indwelt by the Spirit of God

Cannot please God (Rom 8:8) we can walk worthy

will experience physical & sp. death experience the abundant life