Romans 5:18-19, Justification of Life

Romans 5:18-19 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

Imagine standing before a judge and being sentenced for a crime committed. The penalty has to be paid. Whatever the punishment the criminal realized the dire consequence. How to get out? In some lands, the head of state has that power to override the court’s ruling (Matt. 27:15). Barabbas, a notable prisoner was freed by Pilate at the behest of the Jewish chief priests and elders over Jesus, who did not commit any crime.

Matthew 27:20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.  

Though innocent Jesus was sentenced to death by crucifixion. Though guilty, Barabbas was pardoned. Barabbas do not deserve this pardon. But he received it. Though Jesus did not deserve this punishment, He was punished. This is the mystery of redemption.

1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

In the fullness of time, God sent forth His Son, born from the womb of the virgin Mary, without sin, the holy child of God. In His lifetime, Jesus obeyed all the law of God perfectly. In His death, Jesus was our substitute taking the punishment for sin on our behalf. This is how sinful men can make right with a holy God. Jesus resurrected from the dead three days later to complete the deliverance of men from sin and death. The righteous life and death of Jesus Christ sets men free from the bondage of sin and gives to them eternal life?  All who would put their faith in what Jesus Christ had done in His life and in His death is justified before God, like Barabbas when he was pardoned. God’s wrath no longer comes upon such a one. He is translated from spiritual death to spiritual life.

The first man Adam’s disobedience plunged his posterity into the misery of sin and spiritual death when he partook of the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Adam represented all men in his fall. Eternal life is a free gift from God through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ provided the way for all fallen men to be reconciled with God. The believer is able to understand in his heart that he will go to heaven when he dies to live eternally in the presence of God. What a glorious salvation wrought by God through Jesus Christ appropriated by faith. Let us appreciate this gospel and let us share it to a dying world. Amen.