Romans 5:15-17

15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one-man Jesus Christ abounded for many. 16 And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. 17 For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one-man Jesus Christ.

Transcript

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Hello, this is Dr. Bill Branks, author of Love the Word. Our text for today is Romans 5 verses 15 to 17. But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. Is the term free gift redundant? I don't think so. It does seem that if it's not free, it is not a gift, but if it is truly a gift, saying it is a free gift is unnecessary. Why do we give gifts? I mean really, I was invited to a birthday party once, and the invitation said, No gifts, please, the pleasure of your company is gift enough. That was a nice thing to say, but I still felt a little uncomfortable not bringing a present. What if I really wanted to give a gift despite the instruction? I'd do it, maybe in private, but if I want someone to have something, I'm gonna give the gift, even if they protest. Most of us give gifts with at least some feelings of obligation. I attended another party for a little girl, and when one of her friends arrived empty handed, she said, Where's my present? Clearly, the little girl was only focused on her eight-year-old expectations. We don't want to offend anybody, so we take a gift. We give gift to say thanks, but still give them out of obligation. Is there any truly free gift that can be given? Gifts are always tied to some motive, almost always. The uniqueness of a free gift may be behind Paul's referring to the free gift five times in three verses. His message should be clear. Remember, a genuine free gift is one given with no strings. Paul contrasts the free gift of God with Adam's sin. One man's singular sin brought death to many. Jesus, one man, gave his free gift that brought grace to many. A single sin brought condemnation, but the free gift of justification from Christ covered many trespasses. One man's sin brought death that reigned through all generations. Jesus' free gift brought righteousness reigning to all those who will receive him. Paul will clarify in the next chapter when he writes, The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6 verse 23. Christ is the only one who could truly give a free gift. He gave it to us before we could earn it, expect it, or offer him anything for it. He gave his life freely, knowing many would receive it, but many more would reject it. One man gave us all, so all could receive the free gift of justification, grace, and righteousness we neither deserved nor earned. So need not reign in us. The impact of Adam's single sin, an act of rebellion, had catastrophic results, yet each of us willfully sins and has earned our condemnation. We have no one to blame but ourselves, which is why the free gift of grace that opens the door to forgiveness and salvation is waiting in the hands of Jesus right before you. It costs you nothing to receive it, but when you do, grace and righteousness will reign in you forevermore.