The Most Important Lesson

For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17 (NKJV)

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The Bible talks about two kinds of righteousness: works-righteousness and faith-righteousness. Many people rely on works-righteousness without even realizing it. They believe that as long as they’re being good, God will bless them and they will make it to Heaven.

What really causes you to be in right standing with God?

Well, let’s talk about sin first. Sin had its introduction on earth in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve first disobeyed God. Because of their disobedience, every one of their descendants was born into sin, including you and me. It may not be fair, but it’s true, and death has reigned on our planet because of the actions of this one man, Adam. (See Romans 5:17.)

Adam gained for us all the initial title of “sinner,” a title that has nothing to do with our behaviour but has everything to do with our nature and our standing with God.

But Jesus gives us the opportunity to have that title removed. Romans 5:19 says, “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous” (NKJV). The second you ask Jesus to be the Lord of your life, you become righteous. You’re accepted. You’re part of the family. You’re qualified for every promise in the Bible even though you don’t do a thing to earn it. You are no longer a “sinner.” You are now a new creation and you have the nature of God.

Think about this for a minute. Regardless of how long you’ve been a Christian, this is the most important lesson you could ever learn.

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