“Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men” (Romans 5:18 ESV).
In this verse, Paul draws a powerful contrast between the effects of Adam’s sin and Christ’s righteousness. Adam acted as our federal head—our representative before God—so when he sinned, the guilt and consequences of his disobedience spread to all who are born in Adam. That “one trespass” brought condemnation to the entire human race.
But Paul doesn’t stop there. He also declares that just as Adam’s act had consequences for all, so does Christ’s. Christ, the new and better Adam, acted as the representative head of a new people. His “one act of righteousness”—His obedient death on the cross—now results in “justification and life” for all who believe in Him. The consequences of Christ’s obedience are as certain and far-reaching as Adam’s disobedience, but with one major difference: we must be born again by faith to be included in Christ.
We were born into Adam’s line, condemned, guilty, and destined for death. But through faith in Christ, we are reborn into His line, justified, forgiven, and destined for eternal life. Why would we choose to remain under condemnation when justification is freely offered through Jesus?
Let us consider the sheer grace of God, that though we were under the curse of sin, God made a way of salvation through faith in Christ’s righteousness. We don’t earn this gift; we receive it by faith. And once we’re united to Christ, we are no longer under Adam’s curse, but under Christ’s covering.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for sending Jesus. Though we were born under condemnation, You have made a way for us to be justified and receive eternal life. We put our faith in Christ, our representative and Redeemer. Help us live in light of this truth, no longer under guilt, but walking in the freedom of justification. In Jesus’ name, amen.