Life as a gift or death as a reward

12 Therefore, just as sin entered into the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all people, because all sinned. 13 In fact, sin was in the world before the law, but sin is not charged to a person’s account when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin in the likeness of Adam’s transgression. He is a type of the Coming One.

15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if by the one man’s trespass the many died, how much more have the grace of God and the gift which comes through the grace of the one man Jesus Christ overflowed to the many. 16 And the gift is not like the one man’s sin, because from one sin came the judgment, resulting in condemnation, but! from many trespasses came the gift, resulting in justification. 17 For If by the one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.

18 So then!, as through one trespass there is condemnation for everyone, so also through one righteous act there is justification leading to life for everyone. 19 For just as through one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. 20 The law came along to multiply the trespass. But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace will reign through righteousness, resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 5:12-21

Introduction

No one taught you to sin. No one taught you how to lie. No one taught you how to be selfish. No one taught you how to put you first. Sin came naturally to you.

Sin comes naturally to everyone in your family. Sin comes naturally to everyone you know. Son comes naturally to everyone who has ever lived. Every wonder why.

You and I were not in the Garden of Eden. We did not take the fruit. But we share in Adam’s guilt. His sin is our inheritance, passed down like a fatal disease. And if nothing changes, we will die under his curse. But just as one man’s disobedience led to death, another man’s obedience leads to life. In Christ, the curse can be reversed.

We sin because Adam sinned. And like an inheritance of death, Adam passes his sin nature and death on to us in his will. We are born into the kingdom of death, and unless something changes, we will die in the kingdom of death.

But there is another kingdom. Another family. Another inheritance. A King who does not bring death but life. And today, you must decide—will you stay in Adam and die, or will you bow your neck to Christ and live?

Those born into sin and death may, by faith, receive Christ’s righteousness and life.

1. Two men (Romans 5:12-14)
2. Two kingdoms (Romans 5:15-17)
3. Two ends (Romans 5:18-21)

Two men

12 Therefore, just as sin entered into the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all people, because all sinned.

After Adam sinned in the garden by rebelling against the command God had set over him (Genesis 3:1-7), death followed (Genesis 3:17-19), and now because all mankind sins (Genesis 4) all mankind dies (Genesis 5).

Headship. In the ancient world, one man’s decision could affect an entire household. If a father owed a debt, his children bore the consequences. Adam, as our first father, made a decision that bound all of us to sin and death.

13 In fact, sin was in the world before the law, but sin is not charged to a person’s account when there is no law.

Sin existed before the Mosaic Law, but without a written command, sin was not reckoned in the same way. Yet, the proof that sin still condemned people is that death reigned from Adam to Moses—even over those who had not sinned in direct violation of a command like Adam did.

Specific people may not have committed specific sins, because there were no specific laws. But all people sinned, because that’s the nature of man.

14 Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who did not sin in the likeness of Adam’s transgression. He is a type of the Coming One.

People lied, stole, murdered, committed adultery, did what was wrong. Though they did not sin in a direct violation of God’s written command, they still suffered the consequence of Adam’s sin, the sin they were born into.

But there is a promise of one to come (Genesis 3:16).

When Adam sinned, death followed, and now all mankind dies because all mankind sins, and it’s always been this way.

Adam’s sin introduced death, and that death has ruled over all mankind ever since. But Paul does not leave us in the darkness of Adam’s fall. If one man’s trespass could bring such devastation, what might God do through another man—one greater than Adam? What if there was a King whose act of righteousness could undo Adam’s curse? Paul now turns our eyes from the ruin of Adam to the reign of Christ. Not only are there two men—there are two kingdoms. And the kingdom of grace is far greater than the kingdom of death.

Two kingdoms

15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if by the one man’s trespass the many died, how much more have the grace of God and the gift which comes through the grace of the one man Jesus Christ overflowed to the many.

Two acts. A trespass. And a gift.

We’ve already spoken about the trespass, Adam’s rebellion in the garden. What was the gift? John 3:16.

These two acts affected many people.

16 And the gift is not like the one man’s sin, because from one sin came the judgment, resulting in condemnation, but! from many trespasses came the gift, resulting in justification.

Two results. Condemnation. And justification.

Legal.

17 For If by the one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.

Two kingdoms. Death. And us.

A dark tower. With a dark lord, death, walking on its parapet walls.

A tower of light, and we’re walking in its garden’s enjoying its beauty and splendour. Because of grace, and the gift of righteousness. Through the one man, Jesus Christ.

Because Adam sinned death reigned and many died, but because of Christ’s gift life overflows and many may live.

Through Adam’s trespass, death reigned over all. But through Christ’s gift, grace reigns, and those who receive it reign in life. The contrast between these two kingdoms is undeniable—one ruled by sin, condemnation, and death; the other by grace, righteousness, and life. But Paul is not finished yet. He now leads us to the final and ultimate contrast: the two ends. Where do these two kingdoms lead? The reign of sin has an end, and the reign of grace has an end. One ends in condemnation, the other in eternal life. And as we will see, grace does not merely balance the scales—it overwhelmingly triumphs over sin.

Two ends

18 So then!, as through one trespass there is condemnation for everyone, so also through one righteous act there is justification leading to life for everyone. 19 For just as through one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.

Two acts. One a trespass. And one a righteousness acts, the cross.

The gospel is alluded throughout the passage, but especially in Romans 5:18, where the one righteous act is Christ’s death on the cross, and the life for everyone is made possible through His resurrection from the grave. Those that are justified put their faith and trust in Him, received His righteousness in exchange for their unrighteousness, in this way the sinless Saviour dies for sinful men, becoming the head of the redeemed, even as Adam is the head of the condemned.

Two people. Everyone who is condemned. And everyone who is justified.

20 The law came along to multiply the trespass. But where sin multiplied, grace multiplied even more

Two abundances. The multiplication of the trespass, the knowledge of sin. The multiplication, by more, of grace.

The Law reveals sin—it magnifies our guilt, showing how deeply we have fallen in Adam. But it does not stop there. Where sin multiplied, grace multiplied all the more! Paul is not saying the Law caused more sin, but that it exposed sin’s true nature. And just as sin once reigned in death, now grace reigns through righteousness, bringing eternal life through Christ.

Grace is God’s unmerited favour.

21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace will reign through righteousness, resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Two ends. Death. And life.

In counselling I’ve heard, “I know I need Jesus, but I just can’t let go of my old life.” He didn’t realize he was still in Adam. He thought he could fix himself. But just as Adam’s sin bound him to death, only Christ could free him to life. That’s the choice before you today.

The Law magnifies Adam’s sin and leads to condemnation and death, but Christ’s righteousness multiplies grace far more and leads to justification and life.

We have seen the two men, Adam and Christ. We have seen the two kingdoms—one ruled by sin and death, the other by grace and life. And we have seen the two ends—one leading to condemnation, the other to eternal righteousness. But now comes the question that demands an answer: How then shall we live? If we are in Christ, what should our lives look like? If grace truly reigns, how should that shape our daily walk? And if you are still in Adam, what must you do to be saved? Paul’s argument demands a response.

Application for believers

1. Two men, Adam and Christ. The children of Adam’s nature is to sin. You are not a child of Adam, you are a child of Christ. Stop sinning as if you have to.
2. Two kingdoms, A kingdom of death, and a kingdom of light. Start living because you can.
3. Two ends, Death and life. If we are no longer in Adam, how should we live? We should be people who overflow with grace. Just as Christ’s righteousness has been given to us, we should extend grace to others. Do you struggle to forgive? Do you withhold love from those who wrong you? Grace reigns over sin, not just in our salvation but in our daily lives.

Application for unbelievers

If you are still in Adam, death is not just something you will experience—it is something you are under right now. The sentence has already been given. And every breath you take outside of Christ is another step closer to eternal separation from God. But today—right now—grace is offered to you. Christ’s obedience can be your righteousness. But you must receive it while there is still time.

1. Recognise that as a child of Adam, sin has affected and infected you.
2. Recognise your need for life, and Christ as your only hope.
3. But recognising your need is not enough. Even the demons recognize Christ. You must bow your knee. You must call upon His name. You must receive His gift by faith. Will you?

If you feel the weight of sin, if you know you need Christ, don’t walk away unchanged. Talk to me today. Find me after the service. But most of all, don’t leave without bowing to the One who gives life.

Conclusion

No one taught you to sin. No one taught you how to lie. No one taught you how to be selfish. No one taught you how to put you first. Sin came naturally to you. We sin because Adam sinned. And we die because we belong to the kingdom of death.

Every person is in one of two families. You were born in Adam, condemned by sin. But you can be born again in Christ, justified by grace. The choice is inescapable: Adam or Christ? Death or Life? Judgment or Justification? Where do you stand? And what will you do?

1. Two men (Romans 5:12-14)
2. Two kingdoms (Romans 5:15-17)
3. Two ends (Romans 5:18-21)

Those born into sin and death may, by faith, receive Christ’s righteousness and life.

Amen.