Key verse: Romans 5:15: “But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many,” (NKJV).

Adam’s sin infected all humanity. Its effects are seen in every human being. Adam introduced sin into the human race and sin became part of our “spiritual DNA.” No one since Adam has been born with the original righteousness he had before the Fall. Every person is born with his or her nature bent toward sin, and, without exception sin results when that person becomes capable of moral choices. Apostle Paul in Romans 5:12 stated that sin entered humanity through one man and that death came through sin. Sin and death came by Adam, but grace and life came through Christ. We do not have a right standing with God by the law, but we are reconciled to God by faith in Christ. Just as sin afflicts all humanity through Adam, Jesus brought sin’s remedy for all humanity. Just as surely as humans were condemned to death by the rebellion of Adam, we can be confident that we will have everlasting life through Jesus. Through the gift of God, we can live in a right relationship with God (Romans 5:17).

It is important to note another distinction as well. While sin and death were universal through Adam, salvation is a matter of choice. Eternal life is the result of chosing grace, while eternal death is the penalty for sin. The contrast between Adam and Jesus continued in verse 18 of Romans Chapter 5. Through Adam judgment came to all people. Through Jesus, the death sentence has been pardoned, so that, we can stand before God as if we had never sinned. Adam’s act of rebellion created a path of sin that all have followed. Jesus’ act of obedience to the Father provides a path of righteousness for those who will accept God’s gift. Sin entered the world before God gave the Law to Moses. The law did not cause sin, instead it revealed it because people were made aware of that which offended God and violated His plan for humanity.

No sin is so great that it cannot be defeated by grace. By grace believers in Christ can experience the type of relationship with God similar to what Adam and Eve had in the Garden before they sinned against God. Sin has no grip on a Christian so long as he/she is following Christ. When we were on the path of death and destruction, we were defenseless against the power of sin; it reigned in our lives, but now that we walk with Christ on the path that leads to eternal life, sin cannot defeat us. Grace is victorious and empowerment to live a life of victory over sin. It does not condone sin or gives a license to sin. As believers, we are dead to sin and no longer reigns in our lives. Its grip and power has been broken by Christ’s power that is at work within us. We are now empowered to do His will and good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). Some Christians struggle with sinful habits because they try to overcome sin in their own strength and remain trapped in their sin. To overcome sin, one must walk in God’s freedom given to us. Transformation takes place at salvation, and through it, Christians receive power to live in victory over sin.

Today’s nugget: Grace is Victorious. Prayer: I receive power to live in victory over sin. Prayer lines: 08033299824. E-mail: [email protected]. Rev. Abel UkachiAmadi, General Superintendent, Assemblies of God Nigeria