Wretched Sin - Romans 5:12-14

Romans 5:12-14 pivots to the “Why” of sin. Romans 1:18-32 describes in graphic detail “How” man sins. And the impact: the wrath of God (v18). Romans 2 down through 3:20 describes the “Who.” Everybody. The Gentile and the Jew. The shameless sinner. And the “religious” keeper of the law. The uncircumcised and the circumcised. None is righteous, no, not one (3:10). All have turned aside (3:12). And of course, in crystal clear summation, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (3:23). And in 3:23 we have a good working definition of the “What” of sin: falling short of the glory of God. Then beginning in 3:21 Paul pivots to the antidote for all of this (and let us thank God that there is an antidote): Salvation, Justification, Reconciliation, and Righteousness by Grace Alone, through Faith Alone in Christ Alone. Amen. In chapter 4, Paul expounds on the notion of faith and belief in God as the means to Righteousness. In 5:1-11, he expounds on the glorious right standing with God that we believers enjoy because of the awesome saving work of Jesus. Then in 5:12-14, it’s as if the Apostle takes a deep breath and says: “Now, let me tell you the “Why” about sin.” It came into the world through one man… (v12a). And there were dire consequences, indeed death came as a result of sin (v12b). And sin and death spread (v12c) like the most virulent of diseases. Death reigned (v14a). Darkness reigned. Let us be ever and exceedingly grateful to Almighty God that there was “one who was to come….” (v14b).