Notes of Faith March 24, 2026
Pastor’s Pen Pulpit
November 4, 2001
Series: Romans Chapter 5
“CONDEMNATION VS. JUSTIFICATION”
Romans 5:18-19
Today we continue the thoughts of Romans 5. Verses 18 and 19 sum up, in a concise form, the Apostle Paul’s teaching beginning in verse 12. In verse 17 we learn that the reign of death came upon all men through the transgression of the one (Adam.) Then Paul reminds us that for those in Christ, because of His work on the cross, there comes the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness.
In verse 18 the “so then” encapsulates verses 12-17:
So then as through the one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men.
We should be ready to remind men that they are already under God’s righteous condemnation because of our relationship to Adam. It doesn’t matter what we have done. Our condemnation comes from who we are related to, which results in our actions.
In the same way justification of life comes to all believers through one act of righteousness – Jesus dying on the cross.
Then comes the issue of disobedience versus obedience:
For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous (v. 19).
Adam disobeyed God, thus making the many (the human race) sinners. In the same way through the obedience of one man, Jesus, the many will be made righteous (cf. Philippians 2:5-8.)
We are to follow the way of the Righteous One in obedience. God never said this would be easy. But He did say it would be possible! What a contrast:
disobedience = unrighteous = condemnation (to eternal separation from God)
obedience = righteous = justification (declared righteous by God)!
Reflect on these precious doctrines as this is where the believer’s strength comes from. God bless.
Love to you all,
Pastor Charles Covington
Our relationship to Adam is earthly and physical (we were in his loins when he sinned against God). Our relationship with God is spiritual and eternal. We did not have to believe in Adam nor follow in his footsteps of sin, though all mankind does so, to be condemned by God. The entire human race, and for that matter, all of creation was condemned because of Adam’s sin. But in order to be saved from the penalty of our sin (death and eternal separation from God), we must believe in the only One who could pay our debt to God for our sin. Jesus’ work of sacrificing His own perfect and sinless life to the Father for our sin made forgiveness and redemption possible. We cannot earn our way to God by any amount of good works. Good works are an outpouring of salvation and redemption. Acts that follow believing faith in Jesus because of the work He has done on our behalf.
1 John 4:19
We love, because He first loved us.
John 14:15
If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
This is obedience… Though we still live in the flesh that desires to sin, we must fight against those thoughts and actions and pursue the righteousness of Jesus daily! Disobedience brought death. Jesus’ death and resurrection brings life to those who believe in Him, repent of their sin and seek pure and holy lives.
Because of what God has done to redeem sinful mankind, we should be fervent in our desire to obey Him, to live every moment pleasing to our heavenly Father, looking forward to the day we hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Master.”
Pastor Dale