“But the free gift of grace bears no resemblance to
Adam’s crime that brings a death
sentence to all of humanity; in fact, it is quite the opposite. For if
the one man’s sin brings death to so many, how much more does the gift of God’s
radical grace extend to
humanity since Jesus the Anointed offered His generous gift.” (Romans
5:15, VOICE)
If a murderer kills someone, you don't give their entire family the death sentence. If a kid cheats on a big test, their entire classroom doesn't get expelled. If a worker screws up, you don't fire all of their employees. Why should a moral God behave any different with Adam and Eve?
God doesn't punish sinners for Adam and Eve's sin. He punishes them for their own blameworthy offenses. They are as responsible for humanity's condition and state as a mother would be with an illness or virus that’s passed it on to her offspring. The child suffers from their own biology, and not the mothers. Look at humanity's tendencies today and in history. It doesn't scream innocence.
The descendants of Adam and Eve live with the consequences of their ancestors' choices. Though it is understandable that we have some results from Adam and Eve's choices, we are not to blame them for their choices. If I had not received God's mercy, I would be punished only for my own sinful choices and actions.
Your idea of perfection is not the way it should be if God loves us all. Humans fell from grace, which was transmitted through the generations. God gave man dominion over the earth. The entire earthly creation was changed because of man’s choice. The Almighty could have created nothing, and been perfectly happy. He wanted to reveal himself through His creation.
God
chose to come down in human form, and redeem humanity. He put aside His majesty,
and took the form of a servant. He was crucified and killed. Jesus rose again because
of His all-consuming love for us.
The
fall of man will work to the greater glory of God and man than if it had never
happened. Greater good will come not because of evil, but in spite of it.
On the other side of Romans 5:15, have you ever wondered if Jesus did
enough on the cross to purchase your salvation? Could this mean that all people
are automatically saved? John 1:12 (ISV) makes this clear that’s not the
case: “However, to all who received Him, those
believing in his name, He gave authority to become God’s children.”
Let’s think about this. You prepare a meal for your guests. Does
everyone automatically become full? No. People must come and consume the meal.
Jesus has prepared the way to salvation through his death. We must believe in
Jesus Christ to receive forgiveness.
Is it therefore rational to say that all humanity should have been
automatically saved at the moment Jesus died and rose again? That’s not
rational because that would mean today’s Christian would have been forgiven
before their birth, before sinning, and before believing in the
Jesus. Christ alone is sufficient for salvation. Through faith, we
are saved by God’s grace when we surrender our lives to Him.
“The Bible is the
story of two gardens: Eden and Gethsemane. In the first, Adam took a fall. In
the second, Jesus took a stand. In the first, God sought Adam. In the second,
Jesus sought God. In Eden, Adam hid from God. In Gethsemane, Jesus emerged from
the tomb. In Eden, Satan led Adam to a tree that led to his death. From
Gethsemane, Jesus went to a tree that led to our life.” (Max Lucado)[i]
[i] Sources used:
·
“Is Christ All Sufficient?” by Bruce Rokus
·
“Why
Would a Just God Punish All of Humanity Just Because Two People Sinned?” (https://www.reddit.com/r/DebateAChristian/comments/3mcv2y/why_would_a_just_god_punish_all_of_humanity_just/)
This
topic was suggested by my small group leader (facilitator), Tom Critser.
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