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Lent Day 2


 Scripture Reading

Romans 5:12-19


This is an important passage for us to study during Lent because it explains the Fall of humanity through Adam's sin and the redemption of humanity through the new Adam, Jesus Christ. In verses 12-14, Paul points out the Biblical doctrine of Original Sin, which means that we are like Adam in that we have rebelled against God and the result of our rebellion was death, both physical and spiritual. In addition to being like Adam in our rebellion towards God, we are implicated in Adam and Eve's sin because we are all part of the human race. So we are sinners based on the fact that as humans we are descendants of the first humans, Adam and Eve. We are also sinners because we have chosen to rebel against God. That is the bad news, but the good news is that there is a gift from God to us. The gift of salvation (or as Paul calls it justification) surpasses the disobedience of all humanity. The gift of Jesus Christ is the gift of a new life that begins the moment we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Through Jesus' obedience to God's law, he lived a sinless life that he might through his death bring us life. God chose to use the death of Christ to break the curse of Adam so that we might receive God's grace. The end result is that in God's eyes it is just as if you and I had never sinned!


Prayer: Let the words of this hymn by Charles Wesley be your prayer today. "And can it be that I should gain an interest in my Savior's blood? Died He for me, who caused His pain? For me, who Him to death pursued? Amazing love! How can it be that Thou, my God should die for me?" Amen.

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