Romans 5:18-21 To save the world, believers must live as Jesus lived and to exercise divine power to forgive sins

Romans 5:18-21 To save the world, believers must live as Jesus lived and to exercise divine power to forgive sins.

So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. 19 For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. 20 The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Background

Jesus’s sacrifice broke the power of sin and death over humanity. His life of righteousness has made it possible for all men to be perfect as God is perfect. As Jesus forgave sins, He also gave authority to believers to forgive sins. As Jesus lived a righteous life, He gave His Spirit to believers so that we may live like Him. The Law is given to reveal the hidden darkness within. When believers turn to God, His grace exonerates us and sanctifies our attitudes and motives. Jesus saved the world by forgiving sins and by exemplifying the truth. Therefore, all believers must be discipled by ministers of God, so that all may do what Jesus did. Today’s devotion teaches us: To save the world, believers must live as Jesus lived and to exercise divine power to forgive sins.

Observation

So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men.

Through one transgression committed by Adam, there resulted in condemnation to all men. To be condemned is to be relegated to the caste of sinners and slaves awaiting eternal death. Here, sinners are imprisoned in the devil’s dungeon of sin, poverty and sickness. For God had in the beginning set forth in the Law: “In the day that you eat of it, you will surely die” (Genesis 2:17b). However, God in His mercy have provided a way to annul what He had set forth. Through Jesus’s one act of righteousness, all men are exonerated from condemnation and death. What is that righteous act that acquitted humanity? Why is that act considered as righteous by God?

At the Father’s bidding, Jesus willingly surrendered Himself to evil men to be executed on the cross. In so doing, Jesus demonstrated perfect love towards the Father. At the same time, perfect love towards man by asking the Father to forgive the sins of His tormentors. Thus, Jesus’s act of righteousness fulfilled the legal requirement to exonerate humanity (justification).

For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.

The judicial exoneration of man (justification) alone is insufficient to accomplish God’s plan for humanity. Man’s inclinations towards sin and disobedience must be turned towards righteousness. Adam’s sinfulness has caused his descendants to take after him (many were made sinners). As children observe the way their parents live, children inevitably live like their parents.

Jesus stemmed the transmission of sinful inclinations through His life of righteousness and obedience to God. Not only did Jesus stop the regress of morality in humanity, but He also turned humanity towards righteousness.

The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.

Man’s progress towards righteousness is made possible through Jesus’s sacrifice and His righteous life. What then is the role of the Law in making man righteous? Firstly, the Law serves as a structure, a basis through which God judges the world. The Law is likened to a weighing scale, weighing our soul against God’s standard. It surfaces sinful attitudes that lie hidden in the heart. Hebrews 4:12 says concerning the Law or the word of God,

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. – Hebrews 4:12

The Law does not literally increase sin. It serves to define sin and marks sinful acts as exceedingly sinful. Secondly, the Law attaches a just consequence for every sin. What form does the Law take? There is the legislative Law, the ten commandments, which was given to Moses to establish the judicial system. There is also the Law written in the hearts of man that functions as a moral compass accusing or defending him (see Romans 2:15).

That said, the Law does nothing except to accuse or defend the sinner and mete out a just punishment. Because all men are found guilty, we are subject to condemnation (as sin reigned in death). But grace functions in tandem with the Law, not only to exonerate him but to cause him to progress towards righteousness. When a person is convicted of sin at the hearing of the Law, grace immediately acts in acquitting him and helping him battle his sinful inclinations. This process of battling or sanctification brings him closer to the righteousness of Christ.

Truth

To save the world, believers must live as Jesus lived and exercise divine power to forgive sins.

Breaking the devil’s stranglehold

Jesus was frequently seen forgiving sins, teaching and exemplifying the truth. Jesus said in no uncertain terms that He came to forgive the sins of the world. To forgive (aphiemi in Greek) is to set free. To forgive sins is to free people from the devil’s dungeon of evil, poverty and sicknesses. In Mark 2:10, Jesus demonstrated His power to forgive sins and by healing the paralytic. When Jesus died on the cross, He gave the final blow that destroyed the devil’s kingdom. After Jesus resurrected, He filled the disciples with the Spirit and gave them divine power to forgive sins. He breathed on them and said,

“Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained.” – John 20:23

Therefore, believers must make it their goal to desire and acquire divine authority to break the devil’s stronghold over the world. Without breaking the devil’s stranglehold, the journey towards righteousness cannot begin.

Living the way Jesus lived.

Indeed, the way to the Father is to live in the manner that Jesus lived. It is not by acquiring specific theological knowledge, or by observing religious rituals, but by living in the way Jesus lived. When Thomas asked Jesus to show him the way to the Father’s house, Jesus replied that the way He lived is in itself the way,

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” – John 14:6.

In view of His impending departure to the Father, Jesus commanded His disciples to do the works as He did,

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.” – John 14:12.

The apostle Paul said we are created for a divine purpose: to walk as Jesus walked and to do good works as Jesus did,

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. – Ephesians 2:10

Therefore, we must make it our daily goal to purify our hearts and manifest the life of Christ. Indeed, it is through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. When others see our obedience to God, they will know the way to the Father. Preaching is vain when people do not see Christ in the way we live.

A majority of today’s churches draw people who are prospecting for earthly things, and unconditional forgiveness. They give false assurances of peace and blessing just as in the days of Jeremiah. Jeremiah rebuked the prophets and priests of his day,

Because from the least even to the greatest
Everyone is greedy for gain;
From the prophet even to the priest
Everyone practices deceit.
“They heal the brokenness of the daughter of My people superficially,
Saying, ‘Peace, peace,’
But there is no peace. – Jeremiah 8:10-11

It is regrettable that few desire to live as Jesus lived, and even fewer possess the power to forgive sins. Many Christians are fixated on insuring their own salvation as opposed to acquiring the divine virtues and wisdom of Jesus. In the last days, majority are captivated by teachings that concern blessings and salvation as opposed to righteousness and greater intimacy with Christ.

The Law initiates the flow of grace to produce righteousness leading us to eternal life.

Firstly, the Law appraises our actions, attitudes and motives. If we are found guilty, the Law convicts us and causes to turn to God. Here is where grace begins. Grace exonerates us from the punishment of death while sanctifying our attitudes and motives. Without the Law, there is no standard through which our actions, attitudes and motives can be weighed. Hence, we cannot see our flaws and repent. Hebrews 4:12 says,

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. – Hebrews 4:12

Secondly, through the Law, God disciplines us so that our attitudes and motives may be sanctified. Here, grace works to transform and sustain us through the pain of discipline. Hebrews says,

God disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. 11 All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. – Hebrews 12:10b-11

That said, by examining ourselves through self-reflection, we do away with the need for discipline. The apostle Paul said,

But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world. – 1 Corinthians 11:31-32

In today’s churches, teachings that concern the grace that blesses and saves dominate the pulpit. But so little have been taught about the grace that can transform them towards righteousness. Without adequate teaching on Christ’s truth and exemplary life, there is no grace that can transform them towards righteousness. As a result, many will not enter through the narrow gate. Jesus said,

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” – Matthew 7:13-14

Put in a nutshell, when there is no teaching of the Law, people do not find the need for the grace that transforms them towards righteousness.

Application

How aligned is your life to the life of Christ? Ask God to reveal this to you. Many are pursuing theology, ministry work and blessings. They have no idea if their heart or their feet is aligned with God.

Does your life of righteousness convict people? Or are they inspired by your religiosity, blessedness, abilities, or your knowledge? 

Are you being discipled by a man of God? Or do you think you need no one to account to? Unless you are discipled, you will not grow in righteousness or in divine authority.

How then should we appraise ourselves? By the following:

• By the Law of the ten commandments
• By the Law of love: to love God supremely and to love our neighbour sacrificially. 
• By the standard in which Jesus lived out his virtues, wisdom and authority. Jesus said to all that He met, “Follow me.”
• By the works God has commanded us to do. God has told us love and serve the needy. And Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.” – Matthew 25:40
• By the opportunities that God has given. The able and the rich are obligated to do more to help others. We will be judged by how we use the resources given to us. Jesus said, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.” – Luke 12:48.

Dear Lord, reveal to me the state of my heart so that I may repent to walk with you. Open my eyes and mind to see you more clearly and know you more deeply. Cause me to bear your likeness and your fragrance. Help me to make the best use of the resources you have given to accomplish your will. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.