Lesson 6 for November 11, 2017 ADAM AND JESUS

In Romans chapter 5, Paul explains the greatest problem of mankind—sin—and its solution. How was sin introduced into Earth? What solution did God provide? Why did He do so? Justification by faith. Romans 5:1-5. God’s love for sinners. Romans 5:6-11. Sin comes to Earth. Romans 5:12. The law and sin. Romans 5:13-14, 20-21. Adam’s transgression and God’s gift. Romans 5:15-19.

JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:1-2) What does “having been justified” mean? We have been declared just. That is, sinless men and women whose lives resound in harmony with the Law of God. How have we been justified? We’ve been justified by our faith in Jesus, not because any good work we might’ve done. Which is the legal mechanism behind that? Jesus paid for the guilt of our sins by dying at the cross. Our lives are replaced by His perfect life. We are just because He is just.

According to verses 3-5, how can we rejoice in hope? JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:1-2) According to verses 3-5, how can we rejoice in hope? Tribulations generate patience Believers remain faithful amid suffering. Hope is never lost. Patience generates trials When patiently going through tribulations, we develop an approved character. Trials generate hope The Spirit grows the patience in us so we may have an approved character. That way we are encouraged in the hope of the salvation Jesus gives us.

GOD’S LOVE FOR SINNERS Romans 5:6-8 Romans 5:9 Romans 5:10-11 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) How does God show us His love? He made the first move to reconciliation. He died for use when we were still sinners. Romans 5:6-8 He hates sin and He will destroy it forever. Nevertheless, He offers a way out so we are not destroyed for our sins. Romans 5:9 Jesus reconciled us with God in His death and resurrection. We are saved because He lives. Romans 5:10-11

SIN COMES TO EARTH “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.” (Romans 5:12) God created mankind so we could be happy in His presence forever. That was enough proof of God’s love before sin brought death to our kind. Adam represented humanity. His fall made the plan of redemption necessary. God had already prepared that plan as the solution for our possible fall. Death is the consequence of sin in humanity. We can’t do anything to solve this issue because we all have sinned (Romans 3:23).

THE LAW AND SIN SIN REIGNED GRACE REIGNS From Adam to Moses “Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 5:20-21) SIN REIGNED GRACE REIGNS From Adam to Moses From Moses to the end of sin Before the law Romans 5:13-14 After the law Romans 5:20 By Jesus Christ Romans 5:21 There was sin, so there was Law—although it was not fully explained. People understood what sin is in a better way. Therefore, sin abounded. Grace abounded much more. The law of God is eternal. Sin is breaking His law. God explained His Law in detail in Sinai so we could be aware of our sins. That way we would embrace the grace that could make us free from our condemnation; that is, Jesus the Messiah.

ADAM’S TRANSGRESSION AND GOD’S GIFT “But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.” (Romans 5:15) TRANSGRESSION THE GIFT As humans, we received nothing from Adam but the sentence of death. Christ, however, stepped in and passed over the ground where Adam fell, enduring every test in behalf of humans. He redeemed Adam’s disgraceful failure and fall, and, thus, as our Substitute, He placed us on vantage ground with God. Hence, Jesus is the “Gift from God.” Justification cannot be won. It’s a gift! Many died (v. 15) Grace abounded (v. 15) The condemnation judgment (v. 16) Came in justification (v. 16) Death reigned (v. 17) We’ll reign in life (v. 17) Condemnation came (v. 18) Justification of life came (v. 18) Many were made sinners (v. 19) Many will be made righteous (v. 19)

“Only as we contemplate the great plan of redemption can we have a just appreciation of the character of God. The work of creation was a manifestation of His love; but the gift of God to save the guilty and ruined race, alone reveals the infinite depths of divine tenderness and compassion. ‘God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ While the law of God is maintained, and its justice vindicated, the sinner can be pardoned. The dearest gift that heaven itself had to bestow has been poured out that God ‘might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.’ By that gift men are uplifted from the ruin and degradation of sin to become children of God.” E.G.W. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, cp. 89, p. 739)