The Free Gift

In this passage, Paul is comparing and contrasting Adam, and his act of disobedience that brought death, and Christ, and his act of obedience that brought life. He states in verse 15 that they are not alike: the offense brought death and the free gift brought life. Their effect could not be any less alike.

But there is a sense in which they are alike, and that is in their scope. 

Adam sinned and bent his nature away from God. This mal-formed nature was passed down to all of his children. They (we) choose to sin as soon as the choice to do so is before us. We all sin by choice and we all stand condemned before God.

Christ obeyed God to repair the damage done by Adam. He made another choice available. We have the opportunity to choose to accept the free gift of his salvation and be justified before God. 

But notice verse 18. Just as the scope of Adam's disobedience was unlimited--available for all people--so, the scope of Christ's obedience is unlimited; it is available for all people. All choose to sin. Sadly, not all choose salvation. But those who choose salvation find it as readily available to them as sin was. The free gift of God is truly wonderful!

Created 9 months ago