Romans 5:15-17: “But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died through the one man’s trespass, much more surely have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abounded for the many. And the free gift is not like the effect of the one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brings justification. If, because of the one man’s trespass, death exercised dominion through that one, much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness exercise dominion in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.”
Abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness are ours in Jesus Christ our Lord. One man’s sin brought condemnation and one man’s gift brings justification. Adam gave us death, then Jesus came to give us life, and not only life but abundant life.
While Lent is a somber time to think of Christ’s journey to the cross and his sufferings on our behalf, it is also a glorious time to rejoice in the hope we have in him. Before Jesus’ death and resurrection, we lived in Adam’s sin. Now, because of Jesus’ death on the cross, we live in righteousness.
Are you unwrapping this free gift of righteousness? You have been freed from all condemnation. Let us use this Lenten season to rejoice and live into this free gift.