Read Romans 5:12-14
When Adam and Eve rejected God’s rule over their lives in Genesis 3 they were effectively exiled from the Garden of Eden. God kept His promise (see Genesis 2:17 & 3:16-19) and death came into the world. Everyone from this point forward would suffer death because everyone would be born out of relationship with God. Adam, in this sense, was given federal headship over the human race. Everyone sinned because Adam sinned.
Modern day illustrations are hard to find because of our rugged individualism. But the issue can be understood a bit better by thinking about a far away kingdom where the benevolent and loving King justly sends all his detractors into exile on a distant island. They had offended the King and deserved to be punished! All those on the island and all those later born on the island are separated from the King because of the original sin committed against the King.
Romans 5:12-14 paints a similar picture. Humanity was exiled from God’s presence because of Adam and Eve’s sin. Everyone born in exile from that point forward would still be born in exile and would be separated from God.
However, unlike our island illustration, the Bible makes it exceedingly clear that we are born in sin and are spiritually, not just physically, separated from the King. This is why King David can write in Psalm 51: 5
Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
A new born child has had no opportunity to do anything either good or bad but being born in exile is separate from the King. This is why Paul can say in Romans 3:9 that all people, both Jews and Gentiles are under sin. That’s why he can reiterate in 3:23 that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Arguing that the word ‘all’ only covers people from a certain age insults the basic and plain meaning of ‘all’.
As such all people need to be rescued from exile and separation. All people need to be reconciled to the King. As such there is no one who stands outside of the need for rescue and reconciliation.
As we begin to grasp this notion of headship and original sin, we begin to see why Jesus had to be born of the Virgin Mary but by the Holy Spirit and not by Joseph. He was both a man and God. He was the only one not born in original sin but was able to undo it because of his humanity.
Prayer:
Use the bible passage from today and the reading notes to write down your prayer points before you pray.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:
¥ Pray for the women’s ministry in your church - reaching more women, growth in godliness, able to minister effectively to many etc.
¥ Pray that the men’s ministry would reach many people, support many and bless many of these who are less fortunate.
Issues of sin and judgement cause many heated debates in the Christian world. Learn to discuss these matters with Bible as your authority. Discuss but don’t hate or attack the other believer. You are both in Christ!
1. How could you explain original sin to a non believer?
2. Are babies born with the original sin or do they have to do something sinful first before they fit into Romans 3:23? Explain your answer with Bible references.
Intro: Often we think that we’re ok because our parents go to church. We never think about it for ourselves. But God wants each of us to be committed to Himself through Christ. Have you made a commitment to follow Jesus all the days of your life? If no, why not?
Discuss how you came to make that commitment to follow Christ.
Read John 3:16. Eph 2:8-10.
How do we become a follower of Jesus?
What role do good works play?
Pray together that you would be able to commit to following Jesus as of now.
Intro: Being Christian is often seen as a girl thing. But it takes a strong man to follow Jesus. God wants each of us to be committed to Himself through Christ. Have you made a commitment to follow Jesus all the days of your life? If no, why not?
Discuss how you came to make that commitment to follow Christ.
Read John 3:16. Eph 2:8-10.
How do we become a follower of Jesus?
What role do good works play?
Pray together that you would be able to commit to following Jesus as of now.
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