The Bible says:
“For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” — Romans 5: 19
We’re daily impacted by the actions others in a small or great way, and for either good or evil.
Two men who lived thousands of years apart each committed one single act that impacted forever all of humanity. Paul, in the above text is speaking of the first man Adam and the last Adam; Jesus Christ.
They each, through a single act played a vital role in shaping human history. Each man’s act was his reaction to God’s revealed will.
The first Adam, who was the federal head of the human race, disobeyed God, and by his disobedience brought sin and death into the world. Death came through man; it came through his sin, and came to all men.
(Romans 5: 12)
The consequences of his rebellion were alienation from God, suffering, and ultimately if man doesn’t repent, eternal damnation in a place called Hell.
The first Adam’s act of sinful disobedience separated him from God, and also insured that all his descendants were born with a sinful nature, born alienated from a Holy God.
There was nothing humanly speaking that could reverse this sinful act and its consequences.
But then Jesus came for the purpose of showing God’s love for fallen man, and by his single act of obedience to His Heavenly Father’s will countermanded forever the sinful disobedient act of the first Adam.
At Calvary, Jesus took full responsibility for our sins. His self-sacrifice and death on Calvary paid in full the debt sinful man owed a Holy God.
Now, through faith in Christ we’re delivered from the power of sin, and its consequences, and become children of God receive His nature and Spirit, and have a home in Heaven. In other words, through our faith in Jesus Christ our sins are imputed to Him and Christ’s righteousness is imputed to us.
Adam’s act imparted sin and death to all, but Christ’s act imparts righteousness and eternal life to all who receive Him.
We can remain under the condemnation of Adam’s act of disobedience, or we can choose to accept Christ and rest in His finished work of redemption on Calvary.
Adam’s act of disobedience was one of selfishness, but Christ’ act of obedience was one of sacrificial love on our behalf.
James H. Cagle is a Ray City resident who pastored several churches for a total of 11 years. Email him at pastorjameshcagle@ yahoo.c
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