New life for everyone ...

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For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous. -Romans 5:17-19 NLT

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The notion of 'original sin' has so captivated theologians for so very long. Some prefer to see Adam and Eve as ones who brought a bubonic plague type of disease upon mankind. Others understand that these first humans were no different than you or I in the sense that we also would have eaten the forbidden fruit. So what is Paul saying here? Is he blaming Adam for our sinful condition or is he explaining how from the very beginning we have all struggled with sin?

The answer I think comes in way that we view the work of Jesus Christ. Do we believe that all who have received "God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness" no longer sin? Do we think that Christians no longer eat of that proverbial forbidden tree? Or do we understand that the work of Christ was to give us something that Adam lost? The glorious obedience of Christ has opened the door for a new and different life. A new way. A new birth. A new heart.

Thank you Lord for our new birth and new life in you. Once we were blind but now we can see.

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