[Sunday, August 18, 2024] Adam and Christ (Sin and Grace) (Romans 5:12-21)
[English Sermon]
Sunday, August 18, 2024 - Sermon by Rev. Jinkook (Danny) Sohn
Adam and Christ (Sin and Grace) (Romans 5:12-21)
Today’s passage, Romans 5:12-21, explains the connection between Adam's original sin and Jesus Christ's atonement on the cross. This passage is not an easy one. It is not easily understood with general common sense, so some may struggle to accept it. I hope that through today’s message, as we share two principles about sin and grace, it will bring great freedom and abundant peace to your lives.
Through this passage, I would like to explore the relationship between humanity and Adam, the relationship between humanity and Christ, and the results of these relationships.
1. The Principle of Representation
People are born without choosing their environment or conditions. No one chooses to be born into a specific environment or condition. Some are born with yellow skin as Koreans, some with white skin as British, some with Middle Eastern features as Syrians, and some with black skin as Somalis. Regardless of our efforts, some are born into wealthy families, while others are born into poor families. These given conditions influence our lives throughout our existence. Our skin color, once we are born with it, cannot be changed by our choice or effort.
Romans 5:12 “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—”
Here, “one man” refers to Adam. Sin entered the world through Adam’s disobedience, and death came because of sin, affecting all people. This is indeed a challenging verse to understand and accept. Why should the sin of one person be applied to everyone born through him? Many people try to reject this idea, but it is a fact. This is called the principle of representation. Without acknowledging this principle of sin’s representation, one cannot accept the atonement of Jesus Christ on the cross.
Romans 5:14 “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.”
Adam is a pattern of the one who was to come, referring to Jesus Christ, the second Adam. Both Adam and Jesus represent all humanity. Even though Adam is the ancestor of humanity, why is Jesus, a Jew, also considered the representative of humanity? The reason is first that both were sent directly by God for humanity. Second, both came as representatives of God on earth. Third, both were born without sin.
Just as sin and death entered humanity through Adam’s disobedience, so through Jesus Christ’s obedience, all humanity is given life.
Do you understand this principle of representation? Or do you find it unfair that you are a sinner and must die because of someone else’s sin? Even if you do not acknowledge it, this principle is already applied to our lives.
It is similar to this: Imagine our national football team is playing against Japan in the World Cup. We are in New Zealand and decide to gather in a café to watch and cheer for the game. Suppose Japanese people also come to the same café to cheer for their team. Our team plays hard and eventually wins. We would cheer and say, “Our team won.” The Japanese people would say, “We lost.” Even though we did not play directly, when our national team wins, it means the entire nation has won. This is the principle of representation.
The Bible has many examples of this principle of representation. In Genesis 9, after the flood, Noah became drunk and lay uncovered. Ham, the ancestor of Canaan, saw his father's nakedness and told his brothers about it. However, Shem and Japheth walked backward with a garment and covered their father’s nakedness. When Noah awoke and learned what had happened, he cursed Ham’s descendants. Genesis 9:25 “He said, ‘Cursed be Canaan! The lowest of slaves will he be to his brothers.’” Ham alone did not receive the curse. The descendants of Ham, the Canaanites, were cursed and lived in slavery and suffering for many years. This happened because of one person, Ham’s sin.
In 2 Samuel 24, King David, with a proud heart, conducted a census, and as a result, God’s anger led to the death of 70,000 people in one day. The disobedience of one person, David, led to many deaths. The obedience or disobedience of a leader affects all those under their leadership.
Therefore, leaders are important. We should always pray for our leaders. National leaders are crucial as their policies impact the lives of all citizens. In the workplace, decisions made by management affect all employees. In the church, it is essential that the church leader, particularly the senior pastor, stands firm. This ensures that the spiritual blessings and grace from God flow to the congregation. Thus, we should pray for our pastors to live honest lives before God to avoid falling into the temptation of evil spirits. In families, the head of the household is crucial. If the head of the household is not upright, the family may falter, and the blessings that God intends to flow through the head of the household may not reach the spouse and children. Prayer requests for children or spouses may be few, and if present, they might not be as wholehearted as those for children. This is because blessings for children flow through the head of the household. This is a spiritual principle. If the head of the household is not properly standing, the blessings for the whole family are blocked. A leader should not live according to their desires or emotions. They must recognize their position accurately. Whether it is a head of household, a senior pastor, a CEO, or a president, being in a position of leadership means that blessings or curses can flow through them. Thus, they must always strive to stand rightly before God and seek His guidance.
Romans 5:15 “But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of 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!”
The gift of God’s grace and the grace of one man, Jesus Christ, is the salvation of humanity achieved through Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection. While sin and death entered through the disobedience of the first Adam, forgiveness of sins and life came to humanity through the obedience of the second Adam, Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:18 “Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people.”
The principle of representation is reiterated here. Both the sin and the grace that come through Adam and Jesus Christ, respectively, affect all humanity through the principle of representation.
Application: Do you pray for the leaders of your community (family, church, school, workplace, country)? Who is affected by your obedience or disobedience?
2. Sin is Automatic, Grace is Selective
Romans 5:17 “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!”
A key phrase here is “those who receive the gift.” When a gift is given, there are those who accept it and those who reject it.
Adam’s disobedience, which leads to sin and death, automatically affects all humanity born through him. This happens without choice; it is an automatic consequence. Thus, from birth, we are all sinners as stated in Romans 3:10 “As it is written: ‘There is no one righteous, not even one.’”
On the other hand, the grace of forgiveness and life through Jesus Christ has already been provided to all people. However, it is not automatically given to everyone; it is selectively given to those who believe in God’s righteousness and accept the gift. Thus, humanity’s connection with Adam is a necessary (automatic) solidarity, whereas the connection with Jesus Christ is a potential (selective) solidarity.
It is similar to the bronze snake that Moses lifted up. To save people who were bitten by poisonous snakes, God instructed Moses to make a bronze snake and lift it on a pole. Those who looked at it were healed. God provided the solution to all who were dying, but only those who believed in and looked at the bronze snake were saved.
For example, if your father left a letter stating that he had deposited billions of won in an account in your name and sent you the card and password, but you think, “This is impossible. My father doesn’t have billions to give me. It must be a lie,” and you do not use the card, does that money practically benefit you? No, you would continue to struggle financially. But if you believe, “Could it be true? Let me check,” and use the card and password, you would find that money available for your use. That would impact your life significantly.
Similarly, Jesus Christ’s obedience provided the gift of forgiveness and life to all humanity. However, to connect this gift to your life, you must choose to believe and accept it.
Application: Are there blessings that God has already given, but you are not receiving due to a lack of faith and choice?
3. Grace Stronger Than Sin
Romans 5:15 “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!”
The gift given through Jesus Christ’s atonement on the cross, that is, the power of righteousness and life, can overcome all the death that came to humanity through Adam’s trespass. The grace of God, and the grace of Christ, is stronger than Adam's sin.
Romans 5:21 “So that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
What are you under the dominion of right now? Are you still under the power of sin? Are you still under the authority of death? If you have believed in and received Jesus Christ as your Lord, understand that you are no longer under the dominion of sin and death. Now, God's grace rules over you. You are clothed with God’s righteousness. Eternal life received from Jesus Christ is reigning over you.
Romans 5:17 “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!”
Have you received the abundant grace and gift of righteousness? If so, then the reign of death has been broken, and those who receive the gift are now reigning in life. Live as a king. 1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
We are called a royal priesthood, meaning that the kingship has been given to us. Now, cast off the mindset of defeat. Shed the weakness driven by your circumstances. “I can’t do it.” “Because of my environment, I am unable.” “Because of my situation, I can’t do it.” Is this really true? Perhaps you are still being deceived by the evil one who holds the power of sin and death. God has given us royal authority—why are we not using it?
“Evil spirits that make my situation difficult and deceive me, depart!” “Sickness that burdens and weakens me, depart!” “Evil spirits that destroy our family, leave our family!” “The devil that brings defeat to our church, leave!” “May revival happen in our church!” Proclaim as a king. If you are still bound by your circumstances and problems, look at your position through God’s perspective, and understand what His will is in calling you out of darkness into light as His child. Seek the Lord to understand what should be a priority in your life.
Beloved, remember this: The grace we have received is stronger than sin. For those who receive God’s gift through Jesus Christ, grace will overflow. Do not be led by the power of sin or death. Instead, proclaim as a king and enjoy abundant grace, and may you, as God’s royal children, live in grace and share it with others in the name of the Lord.
Application: Are there negative words that frequently come from your lips due to a mindset of defeat? What are they? What should you proclaim today with the authority given to you as a king?
하늘소망교회(담임 손진국 목사)는 뉴질랜드 오클랜드 북부 실버데일에 세워진 한인교회로 '하나님의 마음으로 사람을 살리는 교회'입니다.
Hope of Heaven Baptist Church (Senior Pastor: Rev. Jinkook Sohn) is a Korean church established in Silverdale, Auckland, New Zealand. It is a church that saves people with the heart of God.