Thirsting Souls Bible Teaching

(Rom 5:20)  “Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound….”  (Rom 3:19)  “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.”  Notice, the subject here is “sin”. Today, in dealing with the lost, the subject normally is “the love of God”. Yet, the old saying is, “You’ve got to get them lost before you can get them saved.” The heart must be brought face to face with one’s sin before one can repent, embracing the love of God.

(Rom 5:19) “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.”  Unrighteous in life deemed righteous, thus v.18b “…by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification (pronounced innocent – never transgressed the law) of life.”  God the Son died in our place (took our judgment) and then rose again (for He had not transgressed), now embracing the sinner as part of Himself to declare then righteous, justified! Read in the epistles how often it says “in Christ” or “in Him”.  

 (Rom 5:18) “Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.”  I know there are those who believe they must live a certain way to keep their salvation. Yes, we are to live holy lives. The truly saved will desire to do so by the new nature bestowed and by the prompting of the Holy Spirit. But, here we are told the gift is “unto justification of life” – all of it.

 (Rom 5:18) “Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.”  Since one source, Adam, could sin and pass a sin nature that all would die; one source, Jesus, could live a sinless life and pass a divine nature to all would will repent and believe.

(Rom 5:18) “Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation;….”  All of sin is  judged, and that – harshly. It is because sin is such a hideous thing to God. You and I see some sin as not bad. God’s holy nature sees all sin as horrendous. That is why everyone needs Jesus the Savior! 

(Rom 5:17) “For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)”   Compare “the gift of righteousness” to the previous verse, “free gift….unto justification”. Justification means to declare judiciously: “he has not broken the law”, thus “righteous”. Jesus’ righteousness through faith is imputed to (placed upon) me in salvation. What could you or I possibly add to that?

 (Rom 5:17) “For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)”  Although positionally, the Born Again are now the Children of God, yet in experience we are still in this old flesh and therefore at times sin against God. For this we have and do receive an abundance of grace (favor we do not deserve). We do not keep our salvation – God keeps us: (1Pe_1:5) “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 

(Rom 5:16) “And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.”  Adam committed one sin. Its result was a sin nature resulting in death for all. Jesus committed no sin, then offered Himself in our place to die. Result: we commit multiple sins, yet in repentance and faith receive justification – that is, being placed in a position before God as if we never sinned once!

(Rom 5:15) “But not as the offence, so also is the free gift….”  The gift of eternal life is free of cost to you and me. Yet, it cost God more than you and I can possibly imagine. It cost God the suffering and death of His Son. It cost Jesus the pain caused by my sin. It is personal. Jesus bore your sin. Don’t in your heart throw your sin in the midst of the whole to negate your own guiltiness. Own it and repent, turning in love to embrace Jesus for forgiveness and salvation. 

 (Rom 5:15) “But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.”   Notice two things are said about the gift: one, it is free; and two, it is given by grace. Eternal life cost you and me nothing but our sin (turning our backs upon it: the meaning of repentance). And, it is given not because God sees something good in us. Grace means favor given but not deserved.