Daily Devotionals

April 25th, 2022

Read Romans 5:12-18

When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.  Yes, people sinned even before the law was given. But it was not counted as sin because there was not yet any law to break.  Still, everyone died—from the time of Adam to the time of Moses—even those who did not disobey an explicit commandment of God, as Adam did. Now Adam is a symbol, a representation of Christ, who was yet to come.  But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ.  And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins.  For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.

Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.  Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.

You probably don’t need me to tell you that the world we live in is broken. The evidence of its brokenness inundates our culture and can be seen with the click of a button…without even trying to find it. The brokenness of our world began with a single broken relationship. Adam and Eve broke the relationship humans had with God so long ago in the garden. Since then, sin has grown like a disease getting between us and God and inevitably getting between us and others creating a cycle of brokenness that can only be stopped by the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  

In practical terms, we see this all played out in the brokenness of our world. Broken relationships have led to broken communities. Broken communities have led to broken systems…and broken systems lead to broken cultures. Addiction, abuse, poverty, racism, modern slavery, and so many other things are symptoms, born from that initial broken relationship with God. 

Thankfully scripture reminds us that Jesus is in the business of fixing broken things! He came so that restoration could take place in my heart and in yours. As those who have been made whole, He has given us the ability through his power to be agents of restoration in the places we work and live. How can you look to join Jesus in bringing hope and restoration to the broken world around you this week?

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