Explanation of Sin vs Salvation #

Romans 5:12-17

Introduction

An Old Time preacher, Harry Ironside wrote this:

The moment a man is justified by faith he is also born of God. His justification is, as we have seen, his official clearance before the throne of God. His regeneration involves his introduction into a new family. He becomes a part of the New Creation of which the risen Christ is the Head. Adam the first was federal head of the old race. Christ Risen, the Second Man and the Last Adam, is Head of the new race. The old creation fell in Adam, and all his descendants were involved in his ruin. The new creation stands eternally secure in Christ, and all who have received life from Him are sharers in the blessings procured by His cross and secured by His life at God's right hand.

When reading the book of Romans, it is extremely important to pay attention to the punctuation. You don’t have to be an English grammar expert to understand just a few things. A period ends a sentence. It is important to pay attention to that in Paul’s writings. In our text, we have a parenthetical statement. V13 opens with a parenthesis… scan down through the verse with me, where does it end? … … verse 17.

Parenthetical statement --------->

University of Nevada says,

In essence, a parenthetical is just a phrase that is not essential to the rest of the sentence. However, just because it isn’t essential does not mean that it isn’t important. When used correctly, a parenthetical can add crucial new information to a sentence without disrupting the flow. (University of Nevada)

I. Sin’s Existence (13-14) #

A. Dawn of sin (13a) #

1. No sin at creation #

Gen. 1:31 ¶ And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

• God’s creation was without sin…

  • Where did sin come from??? Rom 5:12… 1 man

2. Adam’s fall, was before the law. #

• The law was not given until about 2400 years after creation!
• Man was born, and man died. - why? Because there was still punishment for sin.

B. Documentation of sin (13b) #

• The law was given, so man would be made aware of his sin!

Gal. 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

• The law taught us what sin was
• The law taught us how sinful we are!

C. Death from sin (14a) #

Gen. 2:16 ¶ And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

• As you well know, Adam did become susceptible to death that day.

  • Life is fragile, as a consequence of sin.

James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

• Every man will die, because every man has sinned!

Ezek. 18:20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

D. Difference of sin (14b) “similitude of Adam’s” #

• Sometimes we like to pride our self, in that we are not as bad as someone else…. Sin, carries the same punishment, that is death!

II. Salvation Explained (15-17) #

A. Abounded to many (15) #

1. Sin affects every person! #

Rom. 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

• No person escapes the grips of sin, it is hereditary.

  • You got it from your father, who got it from his father, who got it from his father…. Take it far enough back, and you hit Adam!

2. As far reaching as sin was, so in Salvation offered. #

• People are not chosen for salvation, it is freely offered to all people!
• As far as sin reaches, grace is offered and reaches.

B. Application of Salvation (16) #

1. Many offences (many sins) #

• The amount of sins we as lost people commit, is amazing!
• They are not the exact same as Adam’s sin

2. Justified #

• The gift doesn’t just cover one sin, it covers it ALL!
• A clean slate!

C. Abundant Life (17) #

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.