Romans 5:12-21 - "The Voice of Joy and Gladness"

As we finish Romans chapter 5, verses 12-21, Paul goes on to show us how one man offers the cure for the consequences of the sin that the first man introduced to the world with his first transgression.  The main point of Paul’s argument is that Christ undid for humanity every horrible thing that Adam did by first sinning. This is why Adam is a “type” of Jesus (verse 14). Christ’s one single action of obedience profoundly affected the world in a like fashion that (but in a much greater way than) Adam’s one act of disobedience did (grace abounded all the more!). Adam introduced sin to the human race; Christ introduced grace (verse 15). Adam’s sin brought in judgment and condemnation; Christ’s sacrifice gave us justification and salvation (verse 16). Because of Adam death reigned, but because of Jesus' life reigns (verse 17).