How Will Things Get Better? (Romans 5:12-21)
Death is an ancient enemy that we are unfortunately well acquainted with. From a young age we are exposed to death. The first pet we got probably isn’t around today. Few of us had the chance to meet our great grandparents, and many of us have grieved the passing of loved ones. Even my young son can express to me his fear of death.
We are all painfully aware that our countdown clock has started and perhaps that is why we find it offensive to receive a clock on our birthday. Each passing year is a year closer to death.
This why some of us live as if there is no tomorrow. Better to go on vacation while we are still mobile. We justify spending on experiences since you only live once.
Whilst we find Mr Kiasu’s fear of missing out to be comical, we probably relate better to Mr Kiasi’s fear of dying.
Many of us take steps to prolong our life. We buy health supplements and aim to walk at least 5000 steps a day to stay healthy and get those HPB points to exchange for vouchers. We go for annual health screenings and seek early intervention the moment we suspect something is wrong. If we hear someone cough, we quickly don a mask to protect ourselves.
We are mostly risk adverse, avoiding unnecessary danger. Just the other day I met an engineering graduate working in a completely different field. When I asked him why, he told me that he realized during an internship how dangerous some engineering jobs are.
Death is real and is something we all try to avoid. But regardless of our age, our fitness level, our social economic status, or ideologies, we will eventually experience death. As a church we have grieved with those who lost grandparents, parents, siblings and even a baby. Death is an evil experience that we wish we could all escape.
But unfortunately, death is not the only menacing power in this world to plague us. Our daily lives are very much affected by sin. Sin is a sinister force that opposes God and destroys everything good. Sin causes us to reject our Creator and to scorn His truths. Sin blinds us to God’s goodness and encourages us to live for ourselves. Sin corrupts the good things God has given.
As sinners, we prioritize our own happiness. We think of advancing our own interests without care of the consequences others will have to bear. Sin seeks to destroy rather than build up. It is the sins of greed and racism that has led to wars and conflicts. It is the sin of self-centeredness that destroys relationships. It is the sin of pride that results in foolish decisions. It is the sin of anger that leads to quarrels and splits. It is the sin of lust that has led to adultery and broken marriages.
Sin and death are two evil forces that have plagued our world and are constantly destroying whatever we hold dear. Worst of all, sin and death have separated us from our Heavenly Father. Sin and death prevent us from communing with our Creator and enjoying His goodness. Sin and death explain what is wrong with the world and why things are so bad.
Sin and death are reasons why we are disappointed and frustrated with life and why we feel helpless and hopeless at times. Last week we learned from Genesis 3 that it is because of sin that we experience relationship challenges, pain in childbearing, and frustrations at work. Most devastating of all, sin has resulted in us being exiled from God’s presence.
Thankfully, God has left us with much hope. God tells us in Romans 5 how things will get better.
Although sin and death have destroyed our relationship with God and frustrated our relationship with one another, God wants us to know that He offers hope. For on the very first Christmas, God sent His Son Jesus to enter our broken world as a baby boy. Through Jesus’ earthly ministry, death on the cross and resurrection from the dead, He showed His power over sin and death. Through Christ, things can and will get better.
Jesus’ gift of righteousness cancels sin and gift of eternal life triumphs over death.
Romans 5:12-21 proclaims Jesus’ gift of righteousness that cancels sin and gift of eternal life that triumphs over death. This is the big idea of today’s message: Jesus’ gift of righteousness cancels sin and gift of eternal life triumphs over death.
When we think of passages to study on Christmas Sunday, we often think of prophecies about the Messiah or the gospel accounts that narrate the birth of Jesus. But Romans 5:12-21, is actually a really apt passage that explains to us why the day that we have chosen to remember Jesus’ entrance into our world is deserving of worldwide joy and celebration.
Jesus came to rescue us from the terrible curse of sin and death (Rom 5:12-14)
In popular culture, the word “sin” doesn’t carry the weight that it ought to. People use the word “sin” loosely. Some describe eating dessert as sinful. Perhaps some of us remember a chocolate shop at Centrepoint called Sins. But Romans 5:12-14 warn us to take sin seriously.
The Bible begins with an account of the beautiful world that God made. God had created paradise for humans to enjoy. There was perfect weather, scenic nature to enjoy, majestic and cute animals to interact with, and abundant fresh fruit to eat. The first man and woman enjoyed the ideal environment that we all try to find when we plan our dream vacation. They were living in a place nicer than our UNESCO World Heritage Botanic Gardens. Most importantly, Adam and Eve had fellowship with their Creator. They dwelled in His midst. They had a relationship with Him.
But, Genesis 3 recounts the devastating story of how Adam and Eve listened to the devil’s lie. Instead of trusting God’s goodness and obeying His Word, they disobeyed God and ate from the forbidden fruit. That very act of disobedience marked a rejection of God and a failure to comply with God’s righteous standard. That act of rebellion against God is what the Bible calls sin.
Sin or trespass are biblical terms that refer to our rejection of God and refusal to obey Him. So sin is not a term reserved for hardened criminals and murderers, but a term that applies to anyone who has rejected God or refused to listen to Him or scoffed at His truths.
When Adam ignored God’s clear command, he sinned. And sadly, this first sin of Adam resulted in severe consequences for humanity. This is because Adam holds a very special place in human history. As the first man whom God made, Adam stands as the corporate head of humanity. He is what we call the progenitor of the human race. He is the fountainhead of humanity. If we were to draw out our family tree, we would eventually trace our lineage back to Adam, the first man God created.
In the same way that all it took was for one infected human to unleash COVID-19 upon the world, so it took just one sin of Adam to unleash the reign of sin. Sin is a word that should send chills down our spine. If you thought COVID was bad, sin is a gazillion times worse. Although most people around the world eventually caught COVID, there are some folks who still claim that they have immunity. But the contagious power of sin is so many more times greater than COVID. Romans 5:12-14 tells us that not a single man has been spared.
You did not need to be in the same room as Adam to be infected by sin. Living on the other side of the planet from Adam would not have saved you. Even living in a different millennium from Adam cannot protect you from sin’s effect. Sin is like a gene abnormality that is passed on to every single descendant of Adam. Every man and woman born after Adam is marred by sin.
This is why King David says in Psalm 51:5, “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.”
If you are visiting today, you might wonder, what is the big deal about sin. So what if we ignore God and reject His commands? The problem with sin is that it affects both our relationship with God and with one another. Genesis 3 tells us that because of Adam’s sin, he became afraid of God. Even though Adam should have longed to be in his Heavenly Father’s presence, sin caused him to want to run away from God. When the Lord called out to him, he hid himself (Gen 3:8). Because Adam had been marred by sin, he was also not allowed to remain in the Garden of Eden. God placed a cherubim and a flaming sword to prevent any sinner from entering the Garden (Gen 3:24).
Sin did not just separate man from God. It frustrated and destroyed our relationships with one another. Before sin came into this world, Adam and Eve had the perfect marriage. But immediately after their act of disobedience, their relationship with one another was broken. Adam was quick to lay blame on Eve. The woman was disappointed with man’s headship and desired to take charge. Adam and Eve’s children did not love each other. Cain’s jealousy led to anger and violence towards his brother, resulting in the murder of Abel.
And the rest of Genesis and really the rest of the Old Testament documents the far-reaching curse of sin. The descendants of Adam failed to love God and obey His truths. They lied to one another, quarrelled and fought. Wars broke out. Families broke down. Treachery abounded. Evil covered the face of the earth.
And thousands of years later, our world continues to be ravaged by sin. The number of wars and conflicts have only increased. The rate of divorce has been going up. Our nation has been targeted by evil people trying to scam us out of their hard-earned savings.
When we consider our own lives, we note that we ourselves are not innocent. We have personally sinned against God and one another. We have at times lived as if there is no God. We have at times disobeyed God’s commands and scoffed at His truths. There are times when we have lied to advance ourselves or escape a penalty for doing something wrong. We say hurtful things when we are angry and harbor jealous thoughts towards others who have more than us.
Ever since Adam disobeyed God, sin entered our world and wreaked havoc upon the human race.
Paul’s point in Romans 5:12-14 is simple. Ever since Adam disobeyed God, sin entered our world and wreaked havoc upon the human race. Romans 5:13 tells us that even before the Mosaic law was given to define the treacherous acts of sin, it had already destroyed humanity. Regardless of whether a society has come up with a set of laws, sin has long been at work. The proof of that is in the trail of destruction that sin has left since the days of Adam. Sin has separated us from our Heavenly Father and frustrated our relationships with one another.
Worst of all, Romans 5:12 tells us that sin opened the door for death to plague us. Death is by far the worst consequence of sin. It destroys the life that we were meant to enjoy.
I recently read about a man who had saved up close to one million credit card points over many years so he could take his entire family on a luxurious Italian vacation. But then he suddenly died before he could fulfill that dream.
Death prevents us from celebrating our victories. Earlier this month, a participant at the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon died after completing the race.
Death interrupts our conversations. Sometimes we do not get to convey what was on our heart to loved ones because they suddenly passed away.
Death is a universal foe that affects every one of us regardless of what our beliefs are and regardless of how good a person we think we are.
Romans 5:12-14 tell us that it does not matter whether or not we have a law that condemns sins. It does not matter if we did not commit the same sin as Adam. The evidence that we have all sinned is the fact that death has reigned since Adam’s first act of disobedience.
Think of someone famous in history. Where are they now? Lee Kuan Yew, Einstein, Mozart, Shakespeare, Qin Shi Huang and Alexander the Great have died.
According to the Guinness World Records, no one born before 23 May 1908 is alive today. And we know from experience that date is going to keep shifting closer and closer to our birthdate.
Death abruptly dashes hopes and dreams. Would you agree that sin and death are the two greatest threats to our peace and joy?
Death abruptly dashes hopes and dreams. It destroys marriages and families. It stops relationships from thriving. It cuts short our enjoyment of anything good. Further, the sudden and unexpected nature of death keeps us anxious. We never know when we might breathe our last.
Friends, consider all the disappointments and frustrations that you are experiencing. Are they not in one way or another linked to either sin or death? Are not our relationship challenges due to our sinfulness? Is not our failing health due to the curse of death? Would you agree that sin and death are the two greatest threats to our peace and joy?
Sin and death are two evil powers that plague us all and life would be so much better without them.
Can you imagine what life would be like without sin and death? Can you imagine a world where everyone you meet is overflowing with grace and love? Can you imagine a world where there is no conflict? Where there are no more wars and no more fighting? Can you imagine a world that has no tears? A world that never needs to mourn over the passing of a loved one? A world in which there is no end to our present enjoyment of life?
The Good News is God does want us to enjoy a life without sin and death. This is why He sent Jesus into our world. Although Jesus is the Son of God, he humbled himself by taking on human flesh so that he could break the curse of sin and death. Jesus came two thousand years ago to rescue Adam and his descendants from the reign of sin and death. Jesus came to give us His righteousness and eternal life.
Jesus gives us His righteousness and eternal life (Rom 5:15-21)
One of the things many of us like about Christmas is receiving gifts. There’s something special about being thought of. There’s excitement in guessing what someone has gotten you. And maybe there’s some puzzlement when you try to figure out why you were given something. At any rate, receiving gifts brings joy.
Movies have been made about people finding the the best Christmas gift for their loved ones.In the 1996 film, Jingle All the Way, Arnold Schwarzenegger goes all out to get his son a popular Turbo-Man action figure. The movie is comical but it does make us wish we had someone to love us enough to go to great lengths to get us a special gift.
Amazingly, Romans 5:15-21 reveal that Jesus gives us the greatest gift in the world. Jesus does not just give us the gift that would put a smile on our face, but the gift that we so desperately need. He gives us the gift that money cannot buy. He gives us the gift that we can never obtain on our own strength and merit.
The apostle Paul explains to us the greatness of Jesus’ gift by contrasting it with the consequences of Adam’s trespass when he disobeyed God.
Firstly, Jesus’s gift cancels sin. Adam’s trespass resulted in the condemnation of the entire human race. It is just like when Hitler led Germany in attacking neighbouring countries. As the leader of the nation, Hitler’s actions implicated every German. Because Hitler represented Germany, the nation as a whole was liable for the atrocities committed. All Germans had to suffer the consequences when the Allies won. Similarly, as the federal head of humanity, Adam’s sin implicated all of humanity.
At the same time, we also recognize our own sins against God and one another. None of us would be confident enough to say we are innocent beings who have never done wrong. We all fear appearing before a Holy God, knowing that we have failed to do His will. We accept the sad truth that none of us are blameless and without sin.
But the good news is God has given humanity a new and better federal head. God sent Jesus to be the new and better Adam. As the new head of humanity, Jesus’s actions benefit every human who trusts in Him. In the same way that foreigners who take up Singapore citizenship can enjoy housing grants and GST Vouchers, so all who believe in Jesus enjoy the blessings that He secured for His people.
Jesus came into our world as a human so that he could live a perfect life on our behalf. Where Adam failed in obeying God’s word, Jesus succeeded in obeying God’s word perfectly. Even when Jesus was weakened after fasting for 40 days, He resisted the devil’s temptation to doubt God’s goodness and take matters into His own hands. Jesus refused to test the Lord and He rejected the devil’s tricks to worship him in exchange for glory. Jesus obeyed God perfectly, even to the point of death on the cross.
As such Jesus proved His righteousness. He alone has a right standing before God. What is amazing is that Jesus is so righteous that He is able to cover the flaws of others. Even though the sin of Adam has placed us under condemnation and we have justified our condemnation by our many sins, Jesus graciously gives us His righteousness.
Like a giant blanket, Jesus’s righteousness covers over all our sins. In this manner, God sees the recipients of Christ’s gift not as sinners under condemnation but as righteous people belonging to Christ. This is what Romans 5:16 is referring to when it says Jesus’ gift brought justification. The one who is covered by Jesus’ righteousness is now viewed by the Judge as just and in the clear. The one who is justified by Jesus’ righteousness need not fear any punishment.
Friends, how does this truth bring you comfort? Many religions teach us the importance of making amends for our mistakes and sins. Perhaps our own moral code instills in us a sense of doing good works so that we will feel less guilty about the lies we have told and our failure to live rightly before God. But isn’t that too heavy a burden to bear? How will we ever know when we have done enough good to stop worrying about the consequences of our sins? How good is good enough? How can we know that we are finally in the clear?
See the preciousness of Jesus’ gift of righteousness. When you receive Jesus’ righteousness, you need not trust in your own merit. You can rest in the finished work of Jesus.
Therefore, I urge you to see the preciousness of Jesus’ gift of righteousness. When you receive Jesus’ righteousness, you need not trust in your own merit. You can rest in the finished work of Jesus. You can trust Jesus to be your representative and ensure you have a right standing before God.
Secondly, Jesus’ gift triumphs over death. Because of Adam’s trespass, we will all face physical death. And even as we number our days, we have already experienced spiritual death.
Spiritual death refers to the destruction of the relationship we are supposed to have with our Heavenly Father. When Adam and Eve were spiritually alive, they had free access to God. They could commune with Him and talk with him. But the moment they sinned, their relationship with God died. They were cast out of His holy presence.
This is why all of us are born apart from God. We are born outside God’s kingdom. We are born without a relationship with God. We were all spiritually dead on arrival.
But the good news is that Jesus promises eternal life to all who believe in Him. He immediately gives spiritual life to all who trust in Him. He gives every believer a new heart and a new self. Christians are divinely transformed so that we can have fellowship with God. Through faith in Jesus, our broken relationship with God is immediately restored.
When we receive Jesus’ gift of life, we become God’s beloved children and have free access to Him. We can commune with Him. This is why we can pray to God. The Lord is our Heavenly Father whom we can call upon in our joy and in our sorrow.
Further, Jesus promises new physical life as well. Although our current bodies are decaying and will eventually pass away, Jesus promises to raise us from the dead and transform our lowly body into a glorious one that can live forever.
Whilst such a claim might sound incredulous, it is grounded on well attested facts. Eyewitnesses saw Jesus die and rise again in bodily flesh.
The apostle John documents how a Roman soldier took a spear to pierce the crucified Jesus just to be certain that He had really died. But three days later, Mary, Magdalene, and many other disciples interacted with the risen Christ. Jesus ate with people and let them touch him to prove that they were not seeing a ghost. And then Luke tells us that over 500 witnesses watched Jesus ascend into heaven.
The apostle Paul openly confesses that if Jesus had not risen from the dead, we would be the greatest fools. But because Jesus really died and rose again, we have hope. Jesus’ resurrection is the first fruits of our own resurrection (1 Cor 15). If Jesus could come back from the dead, then He proves to us that the curse of sin and death has been broken. If we follow Him, we will also share in His death and resurrection. If Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father, then we too shall be able to sit with God at His table and feast with Him for eternity.
Jesus also proved His power to give new life by raising people from the dead. After waiting several days after Lazarus had died and his body had begun to decay, Jesus raised him from the dead. He then declared, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live” (Jn 11:25).
Jesus’ gift does not stop death temporally but permanently. Jesus promises eternal life. The new life that Christ offers is not like our old life, that is filled with unrighteousness. Rather the new life that we receive enables us to reign in righteousness. We shall be enabled to live righteous lives like Christ. And as a result, we will never be able to sin and hence never come under God’s judgment ever again. As righteous people, we will enjoy fellowship with God.
Thirdly, Jesus’s gift helps us experience the grace of God. In Romans 5:20-21, Paul addresses the Jews who thought that the law was sufficient to save us from the curse of sin. Paul makes clear that the law was never intended to save. The law was given to help clarify the seriousness of sin. The law shows us how grave our sins are, how short we have fallen of God’s holy standards.
But where our awareness of sin increased, so did God’s grace. The greater our understanding of how sinful we are, the greater our appreciation of God’s grace. While we were miles apart from God and deserving of His just condemnation for our sins, He sent Jesus to die in our place and rescue us from the curse of sin and death.
While we were wretched beings covered in the filth of our sin, Christ graciously covered us with His clean shimmering robes of righteousness. Like the father in the parable of the prodigal son, God embraces us in our sordid state. He gives us new clothes and lavishly pours out his love on us. He celebrates our redemption in heaven with his angels.
Therefore, Paul concludes in Romans 5:21 that although sin reigned in death, God’s grace reigns through Jesus’ gift of righteousness and eternal life.
Finally, the best part about Jesus’ gift to us it is that it is free.
Who doesn’t like free gifts? The problem with the free gifts that are offered to us are that they are not actually free. There is usually some condition. At City Square Mall there is a banner that says, “whilst there is no such thing as a free lunch, there is free parking”. But the free parking is to entice you to spend your dollars in their mall and it is limited to just 1 hour.
Sometimes gifts are given to thank us for doing something or even with the hope that you will one day repay a favour.
In contrast, Jesus’s gift is a gift in the truest sense. It is a gift that cannot be earned. It is a gift that cannot be purchased. It is a gift that is not contingent on us doing something for the Lord.
Because God is our great creator who made us and everything in this world, there is nothing that we can possibly give Him. God is not dependent on human hands and has no need for us to build Him a house or bring Him offerings for Him to feed off. Therefore, it is impossible to pay God, or to even earn God’s favour. Because we are so undeserving, God’s gifts to us are truly free.
Friends, Jesus graciously gives us His righteousness and eternal life for FREE! What do you say to that?
If you are fearful of death and desire life, will you receive Jesus’ gift of eternal life? Health supplements and exercise will only get you so far. Maybe you can beat the current Guinness World Record holder and live 117 years. But at the end of the day, death will still knock on your door. Jesus raised Lazarus and Tabitha from the dead, and God raised Jesus from the dead. Will you trust our credible Lord and believe that He is the resurrection and the life?
If you are feeling weary from trying to earn God’s favour through righteous living, or are still feeling guilty for the wrongs you have committed, would you receive Jesus’ gift of righteousness?
God gave Israel the Mosaic law so that they would recognize the impossibility of earning a right standing. All of us have been corrupted by sin and none of us are pure and holy. None of us are able to make atonement for our sins. No amount of good deeds can cancel out a sin against God.
Hence God sent Jesus to be our Saviour. Jesus alone is righteous and Jesus graciously offers to cover us with His righteousness. Will you receive His free gift of righteousness? Will you find rest in knowing that in Christ we are no longer under condemnation?
If you are exploring Christianity, we are so glad that you are here and would love to get to know you and answer any questions you may have. Do share your thoughts with the person who invited you. I will be happy to talk to you after service too.
Christmas is a season of joy and celebration because God has demonstrated abundant grace in sending His Son Jesus into our world.
Friends, Christmas is a season of joy and celebration because God has demonstrated abundant grace in sending His Son Jesus into our world.
Though the sin of Adam has cut us off from his presence, and though our own sins have condemned us a million times, God loved us enough to send us a Savior to redeem us from the curse of sin and death. Jesus graciously stepped down from heaven and entered our lowly world so that he could live the life of obedience that Adam had failed to live. Jesus endured the ridicule of man and suffered on the cross so that we will not need to experience God’s wrath.
Jesus lovingly shares His righteousness and graciously offers eternal life to all who will trust in Him.
Because of Jesus and his gifts of righteousness and eternal life, we have hope that things will get better. Romans 5:12-21 assures us that Jesus is more than able to reverse the curse of sin and death. Jesus’ gift of righteousness cancels sin and gift of eternal life triumphs over death.
Through Christ, we can reign in righteousness. Through Jesus, we can live with God in paradise for eternity.
So let us appreciate these great gifts by receiving them with joy. Let us not scoff at the gift or scorn the giver with our skepticism or mistrust, but humbly and gratefully receive them with trembling hands and thanksgiving.
Fellow Christians, have you realized how precious a gift you have received from Jesus? How has His gift of righteousness and eternal life transformed your life?
Instead of focusing on the challenges that you are experiencing, would you rejoice that this day you are counted as righteous before God and need not fear His coming judgment against sinners?
Instead of living in fear of death, would you celebrate that your name is written in the book of life and that Jesus will raise you from the dead?
Let us also consider how the gifts Christ has given should guide our conversations with others. Do you keep the good news to yourself or share it with others? Tell family and friends that there is hope amidst all the brokenness that we presently face. Tell them about the hope we have that things will get better through Jesus Christ. Share the good news that all who believe in Jesus need not fear death.
Friends, God has been so gracious towards us. So let us offer great praise by worshipping Him in song and with our lives.
Let us pray.