[:en]Peace and Joy (vs. 1-11)
Because Jesus had paid the price of our sins through His death on the cross, we now had reconciled with Him and have peace with God. God has declared us not guilty as we have gained access by faith into His grace. All Christians will experience sufferings because God is using suffering to build our character. Suffering produces perseverance, perseverance strengthen our character, deepens our trust in God and gives us greater confidence with hope in the future. Sufferings serve as an opportunity for us to grow spiritually.
Salvation involves 3 members of the Trinity. The Father loves us and sent His son to reconcile with us. The Father and Son send the Holy Spirit to fill our life and enable us to live by His power (Acts 1:8). “God demonstrates His love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (v. 8). Because of His love, He sends the Holy Spirit to live in us, to guide us, and help us meet every challenge of trials. Now we can rejoice in God through Jesus Christ.
Death through Adam, Life through Christ (vs. 12-21)
As sin entered the world through Adam, all men now inherit the sinful instinct and are prone to rebel against God. Law was added to help us see the seriousness of our offense. It drives us to seek God for mercy and pardon. When we sin, we must turn to Jesus Christ for healing.
Adam was the counterpart of Christ. Just as Adam was a representation of created humanity, so Christ is the representation of a new spiritual humanity. Just as the result of our trespasses was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justified which brings life for all men. (v. 18)
All of us reaped the results of Adam’s sin and God’s punishment. But we can trade judgment for forgiveness through Christ. If we come to God by faith, we receive eternal life through Christ. We can now triumph our sin’s power and death’s threat through the power of Jesus Christ. Jesus has lifted us from the ladder of laws with His open arms and takes us directly to Him. Once we are lifted into God’s presence, God’s power enables us to obey Him out of love. We may stumble, but He will catch us with His loving arms.[:]