“15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if by the one man’s trespass the many died, how much more have the grace of God and the gift which comes through the grace of the one man Jesus Christ overflowed to the many. 16 And the gift is not like the one man’s sin, because from one sin came the judgment, resulting in condemnation, but from many trespasses came the gift, resulting in justification. 17 If by the 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.”
In the last several devotionals, Paul has been comparing the life of Adam, the first human being, and the death that his failures bring against Jesus Christ, the Messiah, through whom all life comes. Romans 5:15-21 will highlight that through a multitude of transgressions, God’s grace and mercy shine all the more. What an encouragement verses 15-16 are to a broken and sinful world. Even in the midst of the most egregious sin and horrible monstrosities of fallen man, God’s grace through Christ Jesus is sufficient for salvation and is demonstrated to be all the more remarkable. The consequences of Adam’s and Jesus’ lives could not be contrasted more clearly. One (the trespass) brings sin, death, judgment, and condemnation. The other (the gift) brings grace, justification, and life!
Verse 17 tells us that death, through the sin of Adam, was allowed to reign on Earth. However, God’s grace through Jesus Christ is so substantial that sinners who respond in repentance and faith are not only forgiven, but are now declared righteous in God’s sight. In the lives of Christians, righteousness now reigns in the place of death by the power of salvation in Jesus. Not only that, but those in Christ will also reign with Christ in His kingdom! The Book of Revelation is full of language describing that when Christ’s kingdom is revealed, those who are saved will reign with Him.
“Then I saw thrones, and people seated on them who were given authority to judge. I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and who had not accepted the mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.” — Revelation 20:4
“Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.” — Revelation 20:6
“The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will worship him. Night will be no more; people will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, because the Lord God will give them light, and they will reign forever and ever.” — Revelation 22:3b, 5
The Bible tells us these things for a reason. These verses make clear that to remain in your sin is a choice, and it comes with a whole host of baggage. Sin brings with it death, judgment, and condemnation. Paul, in Romans, and the passages in Revelation that we read reveal what it means to be on the winning team. God, may we be faithful to choose salvation through repentance of sin and faith in Jesus Christ! Praise God for the gospel of Jesus which extends grace and mercy to an otherwise damned and guilty sinner.