Adam vs. Jesus

I wonder who has more power? This is a silly question – yet so many Christians believe that the effect of Adam’s sin was more powerful than the effect of Jesus’ death on the cross.

The moment Adam sinned, death spread to all men. Death includes suffering, pain, disease, destruction – every kind of negativity and evil you can think of. Romans 5:12 also tells us when sin entered the world, death followed in its footsteps.

Jesus, on the other hand, brought life and restoration to all men.  His death on the cross accomplished God’s plan to bring mankind back into the place he was before Adam fell into temptation. He uttered the words: “It is finished” with His last breath (John 19:30).  Who are we to think that He did not really succeed? How can we believe that Adam’s actions had more power than the actions of the Son of God?

“But God’s free gift is not at all to be compared to the trespass [His grace is out of all proportion to the fall of man]. For if many died through one man’s falling away (his lapse, his offense), much more profusely did God’s grace and the free gift [that comes] through the undeserved favor of the one Man Jesus Christ abound and overflow to and for [the benefit of] many. Nor is the free gift at all to be compared to the effect of that one [man's] sin. For the sentence [following the trespass] of one [man] brought condemnation, whereas the free gift [following] many transgressions brings justification (an act of righteousness). For if because of one man’s trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive [God's] overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness [putting them into right standing with Himself] reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). Well then, as one man’s trespass [one man's false step and falling away led] to condemnation for all men, so one Man’s act of righteousness [leads] to acquittal and right standing with God and life for all men.”  Rom 5:15 – 18

We can believe (with total confidence) that the effect of Adam’s sin has been removed for all who believe in the sacrifice of Jesus. We don’t have to live in a mentality of suffering due to the fall of man – we can live in a mentality of victory and abundance, reigning as kings in life.

Advertisement