For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:17 (ESV)
In this section of Romans (Rom. 5:12-21), Paul contrasted Adam with Christ. Adam disobeyed God and ate from the forbidden tree in the garden. And, Paul tells us, that act of disobedience (trespass) introduced sin into the world. And along with sin came death.
While Adam’s disobedience brought death into the world, Jesus’ act of obedience brought life. Adam said, “Let my will be done,” ate from the tree, and died. Jesus said, “Let Your will be done,” and died on a tree. His death on the cross atoned for our sins, while His resurrection from the dead defeated death and brought life.
All of us are, by default, in Adam, seeking our own will, and are dead in our trespasses and sin. Death reigns over us because we all sin (Rom. 5:12). But things are different for those who are in Christ, those who have received the abundance of God’s grace and His free gift of righteousness. We reign in life through Jesus.
This free gift of righteousness is available for all people. But not everyone receives it. Paul will later tell us that all who confess Jesus as Lord and believe God raised him from the dead will be saved (Rom. 10:9-10). And those who do will reign in life.
The contrast could not be greater: in Adam or in Christ, my will or His will, dominated by death or reigning in life. Choose life and receive God’s free gift of righteousness.
