“But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died
through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God
and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many.”
(Romans 5:15)
Paul draws a distinct parallel in Romans 5:12-21 between Adam and Christ in connection with the doctrine of justification. This parallel includes two covenants, and two representatives, respectively – Adam as the head of the Covenant of Works, and Christ as the Head of the Covenant of Grace.
Paul explains further that the righteousness of Christ, being the essential element in justification, is imputed to believers without regard to any merit of our own, simply because Christ is our Head. This again perfectly parallels how the guilt of Adam is imputed to all men, because he is the head of the human race.
We can naturally conclude, therefore, that Adam stood in covenantal relationship to his children, as Christ stands in covenantal relationship to His children. However, Adam utterly failed as head of his covenant, plunging all humanity which he represented into the mire of sin and misery, condemning all men from all time to hell.
But our gracious God sent Christ – the “second Adam” – to fulfill the new, everlasting Covenant that God made with His people. Further, Christ did not fail in His mission. He fulfilled both God’s Law and God’s plan perfectly and completely.
Adam’s children are not only depraved, but they are also condemned to eternal death if they do not believe. We are born under the wrath of God because of the sin nature we inherited from our father Adam (Rom. 5:12, Eph. 2:8). Paul affirms, “In Adam all die,” (1 Cor. 15:22). William Plumer said, “Clearer and more varied terms could not be required to teach us that we are by nature under a curse, liable to wrath, suffering a penalty.”
But in Christ, those who believe in His name and the power of His blood are made alive in Him. God clothes us in the garment of Christ’s perfect holiness and righteousness (Isa. 61:10). Our sins are utterly abolished out of God’s sight (Col 1:22). A believer can confidently say, “…by Christ’s stripes am I healed,” (Isa. 53:5). And, “…God is well pleased and at peace with me. For being justified by faith, I have peace with God,” (Rom. 5:1). And, as a child of the New Covenant, “I am truly blessed!” (Rom. 4:6).
- Lord, Your free gift of justification enflames my heart with love for You (Gal. 5:6). This love also promotes a cheerful desire to obey Your Word and a readiness to work Your will (1 Tim. 2:11-15; 1 John 3:5, 6:9; Eph. 2:10; Rom. 6; Eph. 4:22-24; Matt. 5:16). Keep me faithful in my walk with You day by day.
- What is it, Lord, to glory in Your grace? “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,” (Exod. 34:6). How can I render You and Your Son the praise due You? “They shall abundantly utter the memory of Thy great goodness and shall sing of Thy righteousness. For the Lord is gracious and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy,” (Psa. 145:7-8).
- It is certainly true, Lord, that all Your attributes make You shine as I come to understand them. But Your grace is quite another thing to behold in all its splendor and is more amazing than anything else I have learned. Your great end in all this is, “to the praise of the glory of Your grace.” Do I praise You enough for this salvation that I have in Jesus? Show me how I might praise You more. Help me grow in grace, that Christ might be more exalted in my day-in-day-out life.
Further References for Romans 5:15
Acts 15:11; Rom. 5:12, 17, 19, 6:23; Isa. 53:11; John 1:17
