Romans: From Adam to Christ — Ruin to Reign

In Romans chapter 5, verses 12-21, we find a part of scripture that stands out not only for its theological depth but also for its linguistic complexity, especially in the original Greek. These verses encapsulate a journey that mirrors our own life stories: a transition from ruin to reign. This transition is not just a theme we find in scripture; it is a pattern embedded in so many stories, whether in film, literature, or the unfolding drama of our own lives. Consider one of your favorite characters that faces a particularly challenging period — a ruin — and the storyline changes to an arch of rescue or redemption, a victorious or reigning phase. Such stories resonate with us, not just for their drama but because they often mirror a deeper, spiritual journey.

Among these narratives, the story of the Apostle Paul, the human author of Romans, is particularly poignant. Paul's life, as depicted in scripture, is a prime example of this ruin-to-reign journey. Initially, Paul, a Pharisee under one of the most renowned rabbis, believed he was at the peak of religious achievement. Yet, in spiritual terms, he was in a state of ruin. His opposition to Christ and the early church is displayed by his approval of Stephen's martyrdom. However, a transformative encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus changed everything. Paul's conversion was the beginning of a remarkable transformation. He faced mistrust and opposition, yet through his journey, Paul became a pivotal figure in spreading the gospel, contributing 13 books to the New Testament. Once a man mired in spiritual ruin, Paul came to reign with Christ, exemplifying grace and apostleship during his life.

Paul's story, while unique, mirrors our own in Christ. While our backgrounds, challenges, and contexts may differ, the narrative arc from ruin to reign is a shared experience in our spiritual journey. This brings us to an essential question as we delve into this profound passage of scripture: Do you feel like you are reigning with Christ? Are you experiencing the victory that comes through Him? Many of us, at various times in our lives, may feel distant from this reigning position. This passage in Romans is a timely reminder to reorient us back to a fundamental truth of our faith. Following an outline from commentator Kent Hughes, we see that Paul's discourse in these verses begins in the abyss of human ruin (in Adam), ascends through the pivotal act of rescue (salvation in Christ), and culminates in the pinnacle of reigning with Christ.

1. Understand That All of Us Have Been Ruined by Sin

In theological study, there are few truths as universally relevant and deeply sobering as the reality of sin and its ruinous effect on humanity. The Apostle Paul, in Romans 5:12-14, delves into this, taking us on a journey from the inception of sin with Adam to its pervasive influence in our lives today. Paul's message can be summed up in a simple yet profound statement: "As with Adam, all of us are ruined by sin; but in Christ, all of us can be rescued and reign with him." 

Let's consider the trajectory that Paul outlines. It begins with Adam, where sin, entering the world, brought with it the inescapable consequence of death — a spiritual pandemic that has affected every generation. This original sin, as Paul articulates, is not merely a historical event but an active, ongoing force that infects our very being. It is a two-fold catastrophe: not only are we inheritors of this original sin, but we also actively participate in it. Sin and death are not just Adam's legacy; they are our shared heritage and present reality.

Paul makes it clear that the law, given by God, serves as a mirror to our sinful nature. It is through the law that our transgressions become evident and our sinfulness is exposed. To illustrate this, consider the story of Chuck Swindoll, a young paperboy. His routine trespassing on a lawn was not fully realized until a sign, "Keep off the grass," made his disobedience explicit. This story beautifully encapsulates how the law makes us acutely aware of our sinfulness — it defines and clarifies it. But the conversation about sin is not merely about our actions; it is fundamentally about its consequences. Paul emphasizes that the ultimate consequence of sin is not just physical death, as evidenced in Adam and Eve, but spiritual death — a separation from God that lasts for eternity. This is a consequence that has been passed down through generations, embedded in our spiritual DNA, making sin not only an action we commit but a condition we inherit.

This understanding of sin sets the stage for the crucial importance of the Virgin Birth. Jesus Christ, born of a virgin, was not a descendant of Adam. His Father was God, not man. This means that Christ was born untainted by the hereditary sin that plagues us all. His immaculate conception allowed Him to live a sinless life, making Him the perfect sacrifice for our sins and the agent of our rescue. As we grapple with these truths, let us take a moment to reflect on our own lives. How does sin manifest in our daily actions, thoughts, and interactions? Recognizing and confessing our sins is the first step in acknowledging our need for the rescue that only Christ can offer. Just as sin came through one man, Adam, bringing death to all, so too can forgiveness and life be found through one man, Jesus Christ.

2. Receive the Gift of Life in Christ and Be Rescued from Sin

Romans 5:15-19 requires us to pause, reflect, and rejoice in the majesty of its message. Paul contrasts the ruin brought by Adam with the redemption offered by Christ. The passage unfolds a profound truth: while Adam's transgression brought death and condemnation, Christ's sacrifice offers justification and life to all who believe. This is the heart of the gospel: the transgression that led to death is overwhelmingly countered by the gift of salvation, ushering in eternal life for those who repent and believe. Paul's narrative is not just a recounting of events; it is a declaration of a shift — from the reign of death to the reign of life through Christ.

What strikes me most profoundly in Paul's words is the nature of this gift — it is free. This is a pivotal point to grasp. The gift of righteousness and life offered by Jesus is something we cannot earn or purchase; it must be received. Our only earning, if it can be called that, is the death we deserve due to our sins. But Christ, in our place, earned our gift of life by taking upon Himself the consequences of death that we deserve. This understanding should never lead us to perceive Christ’s gift as cheap. On the contrary, it is of immeasurable value.

Consider the analogy of a rescue mission. In the Air Force, the pararescue jumpers, or PJs, embody a commitment to rescue at any cost. Their mission is to save lives, even if it means risking their own. They travel through hostile environments, confront dangers, and endure hardships — all for the sake of others. The motto of these brave men, "That Others May Live," resonates with the mission of Jesus Christ. Christ, the ultimate rescuer, paid the ultimate price for our salvation. He traversed the greatest distance, from heaven to earth, and faced the ultimate enemy — death itself — to rescue us.

One cannot help but be awed by the magnitude of what Christ has done. He was the most important individual ever to walk the earth, fully God and fully man, undertaking a rescue mission of incomparable scope. His sacrifice was not just a display of divine power but a demonstration of divine love. The cost of our salvation was the life of the Son of God. As we contemplate this truth, let’s ask ourselves: Have we truly embraced this gift? Have we recognized its value in our lives? For those who have yet to receive Christ, this passage is a clarion call to accept the rescue mission He has accomplished for you. And for those who have already embraced Christ, it is a solemn reminder never to take His sacrifice for granted.

3. May We Reign With Christ in the Grace He Has Provided

In the concluding verses of Romans 5:20-21, Paul explains how we can reign with Christ in the grace He has provided. This concept is not just a distant idea, but a tangible, present reality that can be experienced here and now, in the midst of our chaotic world. The transformative journey from ruin to reign is not just a spiritual ascent; it is an active, daily practice of living out the grace we have received. Paul begins by acknowledging a perplexing truth: the law was given to increase transgressions, not to exacerbate sin, but to make it more evident to us. This might seem counterintuitive at first, but it is a crucial step in understanding our need for grace. By measuring our lives against God's law, we become acutely aware of our shortcomings and the extent of our sinfulness. This allows us to see our sin clearly, that no matter how deep or persistent, it can never outpace the boundless grace of Christ. The deeper our understanding of our sin, the more profound our appreciation of His grace becomes.

This principle is vividly illustrated in the lives of those who have experienced deep depravity and subsequently, the transforming power of Christ's grace. People like the Apostle Paul, who journeyed from being a persecutor of the early church to one of its most influential apostles. Or Chuck Colson, who, caught in the throes of the Watergate scandal, found redemption in prison and went on to impact countless lives through Prison Fellowship. Mel Trotter's story, too, is a testament to the redeeming power of grace; from the depths of alcoholism to establishing rescue missions across the nation. These stories remind us that grace is not just a concept but a powerful, life-altering reality. Are we allowing the grace of Christ to reign in us, pulling us out of our depths and propelling us toward His calling? Grace should permeate every aspect of our lives — our careers, families, friendships, and even our hobbies. When grace reigns in us, it overflows, impacting those around us.

The true essence of reigning with Christ is not about dominion or power in the conventional sense; it is about serving and allowing Christ to rule through us. It is a call to let go of the stresses that bind us and embrace a life marked by His unearned favor. This is how we reign with Christ today: by being so overwhelmed by His grace that it becomes the driving force in our lives, influencing every decision and action. Reigning with Christ is about letting His grace transform us from the inside out, enabling us to serve and impact the world in ways we never thought possible.