Grace Results in a Verdict of Acquittal

Readings:
Ezra 4
Romans 5:12-21

Focus:
Romans 5:16: "And again,the gift of God is not to be compared in its effect with that one man's sin; for the judicial action, following on the one offence, resulted in a verdict of condemnation, but the act of grace, following on so many misdeeds, resulted in a verdict of acquittal."

Paul's thesis in this passage is that through the sin of one man, Adam, death entered the human race, and all humankind was condemned, and doomed inevitably to sin. But through the sacrifice of one man, Jesus, God gave a free gift of grace to the human race, and every member of humankind that accepts this gift is liberated from condemnation, and welcomed to eternal life with God.

And although in each case the action comes through one man, there is no proportion between them. The single sin of Adam allowed sin to enter the world and condemned humankind to the effects of a broken creation. But after multitudes of sins had been and would be committed, God offered free grace through Jesus Christ to any who would accept it. Although sin was multiplied, God responded not with more condemnation, but instead with grace and forgiveness; he responded with acquittal.

As it says in verse 21, the result for those who accept this grace is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.