“But not as the offense, so also is the free gift. For if through the offense 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.”
(Romans 5:15)
In Romans 5, the Apostle Paul presents the believer with a comparison—or rather a deliberate contrast—between Adam and Christ. One man’s actions brought death. The other brought life. One man’s act resulted in eternal condemnation to all his progeny. The other man’s act resulted in redemption from that condemnation to all those who believe on His name. Each man stood as a representative head over a covenant. Adam was the covenant head in Eden—the covenant of works, and Christ is the covenant Head in the everlasting covenant of grace.
Through Adam, guilt entered the race of mankind. And not just guilt through behavior, but guilt in our very nature. Which means we are not sinners because we sin; we sin because we are sinners—born under the curse of Adam, born spiritually dead. The whole race was plunged into condemnation through Adam’s one act of disobedience. That is the weight of federal headship. That is the ultimate tragedy of Adam’s fall.
And yet, against this bleak backdrop, the brilliance of Christ’s work shines all the brighter. For just as Adam represented a ruined race, so Christ represents a redeemed people. Just as Adam’s act was imputed to his children, so Christ’s righteousness is imputed to those who are His. His obedience is counted as theirs. His merit becomes their standing. His perfection becomes their peace.
This is the mystery and majesty of justification by grace. Not earned. Not measured by sincerity. But freely given—because the Head of the new covenant has accomplished all that is necessary to grant salvation to those who believe. “It is an honorable gift, and that freely given; … All favors, especially saving graces, are given unto us on behalf of Christ, as being purchased for us by his merit.”[1] Adam failed… but Christ did not. He kept the law. He drank the cup. He laid down His life in obedience to the Father’s will and rose in power, securing forever the justification of His elect.
“In Adam all die.” This is our natural condition. But “in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22). The death sentence is lifted. The soul, once bound to wrath, is declared righteous—not by works, but by faith in the righteousness of Another.
God no longer sees the guilt of Adam when He looks at His children; He sees the beauty of Christ instead. He sees the merit of the Second Adam. He sees the finished work of His Son. And so we stand, clothed in garments not our own, rejoicing in a salvation we could never have earned.
Contemplations:
- The obedience that flows from love. Lord, the truth of Your grace kindles love in my soul. This love makes obedience joyful and not burdensome. Let that love grow. Let it bear fruit in cheerful obedience and quiet submission to Your Word. Keep me walking in the light of Your grace daily.
- The glory of Your grace. You are full of compassion, long-suffering, and abundant in truth. Your grace is unlimited. I want to praise You with a full heart, to sing of Your righteousness, to tell the story of redemption with my whole life, and to be ever thankful for Your goodness.
- The splendor of grace. Holiness demands reverence. But grace melts the heart. That You should save the guilty by the merits of Your Son is glorious beyond words. Help me praise You rightly. Let my life be a song to the glory of Your grace, and let Christ be exalted in all I do.
- The pursuit of more praise. Lord, I do not praise You as I should. My words fall short and my heart grows cold. But I want to praise You more. Show me how. Teach me to exalt Christ in the mundane and the magnificent. Grow me in grace. Let every step forward in faith deepen my worship. Make my life a living doxology to the praise of Your glory.
Prayer (adoration):
Most gracious and glorious God, I lift my voice to adore You for who You are—the Lord of righteousness, the fountain of mercy, the Author of all grace. Before time began, You purposed a covenant. In the fullness of time, You sent Your Son. In Him I see Your love, Your wisdom, Your power, and Your glory displayed in perfection.
You are not like Adam. Adam fell, and with him all of us. He broke covenant, and ruin followed. But You, the Second Adam, triumphed. Where he disobeyed, You obeyed. Where he brought death, You bring life. Where he opened the gate to wrath, You have flung wide the doors of grace. I adore You, my Redeemer, for the greatness of Your obedience and the power of Your cross.
I adore You for imputed righteousness. That I should stand accepted, justified, welcomed by grace is a mystery so great I cannot fathom it. And yet, I rest in it. You have robed me in garments not my own. You have called me beloved when I deserved rejection. You have declared peace over my soul when I deserved wrath.
All of this flows from the riches of Your grace. And because it is free, it is beautiful. Because it is unmerited, it is glorious. Lord, Your grace stirs the depths of my soul. It humbles my pride, silences my boasting, and exalts Christ in my heart above all things.
Let every fiber of my being adore You. Let every breath be praise. Let my hands serve You, my feet follow You, my lips honor You, and my heart cling to You. For there is no one like You. There is no Savior but Christ. There is no peace but in Your justification. And there is no life but in Your Son.
I adore You for Your faithfulness to covenant promises. I adore You for Your perfect justice that does not overlook sin, but satisfies it through the blood of the Lamb. I adore You for the eternal love You have poured into my heart by the Holy Spirit.
O Lord, let me love You more. Let me know more of Christ. Let me walk more faithfully in the light of so great a salvation. Let Your grace be the song of my soul and the strength of my obedience.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further references for Romans 5:15:
Acts 15:11; Rom. 5:12, 17, 19, 6:23; Isa. 53:11; John 1:17.
[1] James Fergusson, A Brief Exposition of the Epistles of Paul to the Philippians and Colossians (Edinburgh: Christopher Higgins .., 1656), 30–31.
