(Rom) 5:8-12, 17, 19 CJB “But God demonstrates his own love for us in that the Messiah died on our behalf while we were still sinners. Therefore, since we have now come to be considered righteous by means of his bloody sacrificial death, how much more will we be delivered through him from the anger of God’s judgment! For if we were reconciled with God through his Son’s death when we were enemies, how much more will we be delivered by his life, now that we are reconciled! And not only will we be delivered in the future, but we are boasting about God right now, because he has acted through our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, through whom we have already received that reconciliation. Here is how it works: it was through one individual that sin entered the world, and through sin, death; and in this way death passed through to the whole human race, inasmuch as everyone sinned. For if, because of the offence of one man, death ruled through that one man; how much more will those receiving the overflowing grace, that is, the gift of being considered righteous, rule in life through the one man Yeshua the Messiah! For just as through the disobedience of the one man, many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the other man, many will be made righteous.”

We are born sinners made righteous only through the work of Jesus Christ.

How do we know humanity is born into sin?

We all die.

Paul explains that sin entered the world through Adam, and death came through sin. Since Adam’s rebellion, every generation has been born into a fallen humanity separated from God.

We don’t have to teach children to sin. We don’t naturally seek God, glorify Him, or perfectly obey Him.

And that’s our problem.

God is holy. He requires righteousness.

We aren’t righteous.

Born Sinners Made Righteous

Paul contrasts two men: Adam and Jesus.

Through Adam came:

• Sin
• Disobedience
• Condemnation
• Death

Through Jesus came:

• Obedience
• Grace
• Righteousness
• Reconciliation
• Life

Paul writes: “For just as through the disobedience of the one man, many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the other man, many will be made righteous.”  Romans 5:19 CJB

God didn’t lower His standard because we couldn’t meet it.

He met it for us.

God the Son became man. Jesus lived the perfectly obedient life we were required to live but could not.

Then He offered that perfect life for imperfect people.

Jesus died in our place, bearing the judgment our sin deserved.

And notice when He did it:

“While we were still sinners.”

We didn’t clean ourselves up first.

We didn’t become worthy.

God acted to save His enemies.

That’s grace.

The Resurrection Is Our Confidence

Jesus didn’t stay dead.

He rose.

The resurrection vindicated Jesus and demonstrated His victory over sin and death. More than 500 people saw the risen Christ at one time (1 Corinthians 15:6).

The Gospel isn’t advice about becoming a better person.

It’s news about what God has already done.

Jesus died for sinners.

Jesus rose from the dead.

And those who repent and believe receive God’s gift of forgiveness, reconciliation, and eternal life.

We are born sinners made righteous through faith in Jesus Christ—not because of our obedience, but because of His.

Rescued Men Have a Mission

But God’s work doesn’t end when He rescues us.

The rescued become ambassadors of the Rescuer.

Men around us are still separated from God. They still face death. And after death comes judgment.

Yet God has provided reconciliation through Jesus.

That’s why the Great Commission matters.

We aren’t trying to convince men to become more religious.

We are telling condemned men that God has provided a Savior.

We know the problem.

Sin.

We know the consequence.

Death and judgment.

We know God’s solution.

Jesus.

And we know the response.

Repent and believe.

Run Today’s Play

Who is one man in your life who needs to hear this?

Don’t just pray generally for “the lost.”

Name one man.

Pray for him today. Ask God to open his heart to the Gospel.

Then look for your opportunity to tell him:

We are born sinners.
Jesus died for sinners.
Jesus rose from the dead.
And God offers reconciliation and life to everyone who repents and believes.

You have been rescued.

Now point another man to the Rescuer.