FROM ADAM TO CHRIST

FROM ADAM TO CHRIST

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Romans 5:12-21

Key Verse: "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." (Romans 5:18, KJV)

Supporting Texts: Genesis 3:1-19; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22, 45-49; John 1:29; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:1-10; Colossians 2:13-15.

Description: Adam's disobedience brought sin and death into the world, but Christ's perfect obedience brought righteousness, grace, and eternal life to all who believe.

INTRODUCTION
Romans 5:12-21 presents one of the clearest contrasts in the New Testament between Adam and Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul explains that the entire human race is connected either to Adam or to Christ. Through Adam's disobedience, sin entered the world, bringing condemnation and death upon all humanity. Through Christ's obedience unto death, God has made available righteousness, justification, and eternal life for all who place their faith in Him.

This passage reminds us that humanity's greatest problem is not merely poverty, sickness, or injustice, but sin. Every person is born with a sinful nature inherited from Adam. Left to ourselves, we are spiritually dead and separated from God. However, God did not leave humanity without hope. Through His abundant grace, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, as the Second Adam to reverse the effects of the Fall.

Every believer should understand the significance of being transferred from Adam's family into Christ's Kingdom. Those who are in Adam remain under sin and death, but those who are in Christ receive forgiveness, righteousness, victory, and everlasting life. This truth gives every believer assurance of salvation and confidence in God's redeeming power.

1. ADAM'S DISOBEDIENCE BROUGHT SIN AND DEATH
Adam's single act of disobedience introduced sin into the entire human race.

a) Sin Entered Through One Man (Romans 5:12)
Adam's rebellion against God opened the door for sin to enter the world and affect all humanity.

b) Death Is The Consequence Of Sin (Romans 5:12; Genesis 2:17)
Physical and spiritual death became the inevitable result of humanity's separation from God.

c) All Humanity Inherited Adam's Sinful Nature (Psalm 51:5)
Every person is born with a sinful nature and stands in need of God's saving grace.

d) The Law Revealed The Seriousness Of Sin (Romans 5:13-14)
Although sin existed before the Law, God's commandments exposed humanity's guilt more clearly.

Biblical Example: Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:1-19). Their deliberate disobedience brought sin, suffering, separation, and death into God's perfect creation.

2. CHRIST'S OBEDIENCE BROUGHT RIGHTEOUSNESS AND LIFE
Jesus Christ reversed the curse of sin through His perfect obedience and sacrificial death.

a) Christ Is God's Free Gift (Romans 5:15)
Unlike Adam's offence, God's grace through Christ is freely offered to all who believe.

b) One Act Of Righteousness Brings Justification (Romans 5:18)
Christ's death on the cross secured forgiveness and righteousness for sinners.

c) Grace Is Greater Than Sin (Romans 5:20)
No matter how great sin may be, God's grace is infinitely greater.

d) Christ's Obedience Leads To Eternal Life (Romans 5:19)
Through Jesus' perfect obedience, believers receive the gift of eternal life.

Biblical Example: Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:8-11). Christ humbled Himself and became obedient unto death on the cross, and God highly exalted Him.

3. BELIEVERS ARE TRANSFERRED FROM CONDEMNATION TO JUSTIFICATION
Everyone who trusts in Christ experiences a complete change of spiritual position.

a) No More Condemnation (Romans 8:1)
Those who are in Christ are no longer under God's judgement.

b) Made Righteous Through Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21)
Christ took our sin and gave us His righteousness.

c) Adopted Into God's Family (Galatians 4:4-7)
Believers become children of God through faith in Jesus Christ.

d) A New Creation In Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Salvation brings a completely new identity and a transformed life.

Biblical Example: The Apostle Paul (Acts 9:1-22). Once a persecutor of the Church, Paul was transformed by Christ's grace into one of the greatest apostles.

4. GRACE NOW REIGNS THROUGH JESUS CHRIST
The reign of sin has been broken, and believers now live under the reign of God's grace.

a) Grace Triumphs Over Sin (Romans 5:20-21)
Where sin increased, God's grace overflowed even more abundantly.

b) Live Under God's Grace (Romans 6:14)
Believers are no longer slaves to sin but servants of righteousness.

c) Walk In Newness Of Life (Romans 6:4)
Those united with Christ should live lives that reflect His holiness.

d) Look Forward To Eternal Life (John 10:28)
The grace of God guarantees eternal life for all who remain in Christ.

Biblical Example: Mary Magdalene (Luke 8:1-2). Having been delivered by Jesus from demonic oppression, she became a devoted follower whose transformed life testified to the triumph of God's grace.

CONCLUSION
Romans 5:12-21 reveals the two great representatives of humanity. Through Adam came sin, condemnation, and death. Through Jesus Christ came righteousness, justification, grace, and eternal life. Every person is born into Adam's fallen race, but through faith in Christ, anyone can become part of God's redeemed family and enjoy the blessings of salvation.

As believers, we must no longer live under the influence of Adam's old nature but under the victorious reign of Christ. Let us rejoice in the abundance of God's grace, walk in obedience to His Word, and continually proclaim the message that through Jesus Christ, sin has been defeated and eternal life has been made available to all who believe.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, thank You for delivering me from the condemnation that came through Adam, in Jesus name.

2. Lord Jesus, thank You for Your obedience that has brought me righteousness and eternal life, in Jesus name.

3. Father, help me to walk daily in the victory of Your grace, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, break every remaining influence of the old sinful nature in my life, in Jesus name.

5. Father, let Your grace continually reign over every area of my life, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, help me to live as a new creation who reflects the character of Christ, in Jesus name.

7. Father, strengthen me to overcome every temptation through the power of the Holy Spirit, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, use my life to proclaim the saving grace of Jesus Christ to others, in Jesus name.

9. Father, keep me faithful until the day I receive the fullness of eternal life, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, let my life continually glorify You as one who has been redeemed by Your precious blood, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You shall continually walk in the victory that Jesus Christ has obtained for you.

2. Every power of sin and condemnation shall remain broken over your life.

3. The grace of God shall reign abundantly in every area of your life.

4. You shall no longer be controlled by the old nature but by the Holy Spirit.

5. The righteousness of Christ shall be evident in your words, thoughts, and actions.

6. Every work of spiritual death shall be replaced with the abundant life of Christ.

7. You shall overcome every temptation through the strength that God supplies.

8. Your life shall become a living testimony of God's redeeming grace and transforming power.

9. The Lord shall preserve you in holiness and establish you firmly in His truth.

10. From this day forward, you shall reign in life through Jesus Christ, enjoy the fullness of God's grace, fulfil His divine purpose, and inherit everlasting life in His glorious Kingdom, in the mighty name of Jesus.