From Adam to Jesus

As we continue our study of the Book of Romans, I am so pleased that we're getting to the good part! Paul has made it clear that the climb for Gentiles and Jews alike to reach God on His terms was too steep for us to make because we could never achieve God's righteousness on our own.

Last week, Keith pointed out that God, in His mercy, made a way for us to be reconciled with Him, and that way is faith. Just as “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness” (Romans 4:3), if we “believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead” (Romans 4:24), righteousness is credited to us also.

We will learn this week that Jesus is the one “through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand” (Romans 5:2). At our birth, we carried the sin of Adam with us, and that unwelcome inheritance brought with it death and hopelessness. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:11). He didn't wait for us to make the climb He knew we couldn't make; Jesus picked us up just as we were and carried us to the summit! 

Paul says, “The gift is not like the trespass” (Romans 5:15), and when we accept the gift of Jesus Christ, we are assured of life, peace, and hope for all time. As I said, we're getting to the good part, and I am excited to share it with you this Sunday!

Blessings to you and yours,

Brian