Devotion:
Read Romans 5:15-19.
Romans, Paul’s letter to the house churches of Rome, provides some of the most carefully developed and articulately expressed Christian doctrine and theology in the New Testament. In this letter, Paul makes some absolutely foundational points of Christian beliefs that are shared across essentially all denominations and churches. While many other important truths and teachings are included in Romans, these three are basic to Christianity: we are in need of salvation, we cannot save ourselves, and only God through Jesus Christ can save us.
The one man whom Paul says we died by, who brought judgment upon us, and whose trespass condemns us was Adam. Poor Adam! Adam was created in God’s own image and given stewardship over all God’s creation. But God did not control Adam’s thinking and actions; instead God gave Adam the ability to think and choose, using his free will. Adam chose to disobey God, revealing the tendency in all humanity to fall short or sin...something we call original sin. Like Adam, we are not capable of saving ourselves. But Jesus Christ’s gift to us, the gift of salvation bought by his death on the cross, is so much greater than Adam’s sin and even greater than our sins. Thanks be to God!
Personal Worship Option:
As you pray today, acknowledge that we are like Adam and do not always choose well. Give thanks that God loves us so much that God forgives us. Remember some of the things God has forgiven you for. Is there someone who needs your forgiveness? Pray for the love and grace to forgive them.
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