IDENTITY: Daily Reading Plan #2
Romans 5:12-21
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—
To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone's account where there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.
But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man's sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!
Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
While we are all made in the image of God, another thing that God says about me is that I am a sinner, separated from God. Adam and Eve disobeyed God, and that act brought sin into God's perfect world (Genesis 2:16–17; Genesis 3). From that time on, all human beings are born with their first parents' sin nature (Romans 5:12). The sin nature that we inherit—and the sin that we personally commit—separates us from God's holy presence (Romans 3:23; 6:23).
Another thing that God says about me is that my Creator loves me. He does not have to. But His very nature is love (1 John 4:8), and He sets His love upon us. In His love, God actively works for our lasting good, even to the point of sacrificing Himself to save us (Romans 5:8). God demonstrated His love in the most generous act the world will ever know. He sent His own Son, Jesus, to earth to take the punishment our sins deserve (John 3:16–18; Colossians 2:14; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
Something else that God says about me is that I belong to one of two groups: the children of God or the children of the devil (1 John 3:7–10). The children of God are those who have faith in Jesus' death and resurrection. They have received a full pardon, the forgiveness of sin, and eternal life (John 1:12). They are adopted into God's family (Romans 10:9–13). The children of the devil are those who reject Christ and His offer of salvation. They are still in their sins and under the condemnation of God. Colossians 3:1–17 explains the difference between those under the wrath of God and those who have been restored by God.
So, what God says about me depends upon my standing with Christ. To those who reject Him, He says, "Repent and turn to Me" (see Acts 3:19). To those who receive Him, He says, "Friend, your sins are forgiven" (Luke 5:20) and "Be holy as I am holy" (1 Peter 1:15–16). God's children are already adopted, justified, and dearly loved. But He wants His children to take on a family resemblance. He saves us so that He can conform us into the likeness of Jesus (Romans 8:29).
When I have been adopted by God as His child, He has much to say about me. I have a new identity (John 3:3). I am no longer a child of wrath (Ephesians 2:3), destined for an eternity without God (Matthew 25:41). I am "in Christ," covered by His righteousness and fully accepted by God (Philippians 1:1). God says that I am no longer under condemnation (Romans 8:1); He no longer sees my imperfections; He sees the righteousness of His Son instead (Ephesians 2:13; Hebrews 8:12). God says that I am more than a conqueror "through Him who loved us" (Romans 8:37). He says that I "may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires" (2 Peter 1:4).
On Judgment Day, what God says about me will make all the difference for eternity. God's words to people on that Day will be either, "I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!" (Matthew 7:23) or, "Well done, good and faithful servant! . . . Come and share your master's happiness!" (Matthew 25:23). When we stand before God, what He says about us will be determined by our relationship, by faith, to Jesus Christ (John 3:18). God sent His one and only Son to pay the price we owed. We must answer this question: "What will I do with Christ?"
Reflection Questions
- What does this passage reveal about our identity?
- What does it look like to find my identity in who God says I am as a sinner who is offered God's gracious gift of salvation?
- How does seeing myself and others this way cause me to change the way I think about and act toward myself and others?
