Romans - Paradise Regained

Romans 5:15-21PARADISE REGAINEDIntro: In our last study from Romans, we talked about how paradise was lost. We learned that Adam, the father of all humanity, sinned against God. As a result of his sin, the whole world was plunged into darkness. Adam's sin had dire consequences for the whole of humanity. As we move on in this chapter, we will see here how paradise is regained. What Adam gave away, Jesus bought back!Lets read from Gods WordRomans 5:15-21King James Version15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)18 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.20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. This passage is very difficult to understand. When it is read, it seems very confusing and fuzzy. This makes these verses extremely hard to outline. However, it may help to look at this passage as a series of contrasts. Paul is trying to show his readers the difference between what they received from Adam and what they have received from Jesus Christ.