The Gift That Comes Through Grace

but the free grace is not like the transgression also, for if the many died of transgression of the one, many to a greater extent abound of the grace of God and the gift in the grace, of the one man Jesus Christ, overflows to the many (Romans 5:15)

There is a gift that comes through, or in the grace of God that overflows to many. Many died through one man's sin, and through the gift coming through grace many will live because of one man's righteousness. The result of one man's sin came judgement to the extent condemnation. But the free gift or grace from many transgressions to the extent of, or brought, justification. The transgression of Adam brought death and condemnation but the free gift that comes through Jesus brings justification. Those who receive the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one Jesus Christ.

for just as one man's disobedience, the many were made sinners, in this same way one man's obedience, the many will be made righteous (Romans 5:19)

Because of Adam all men became sinners. Because of Jesus we become righteous. This receiving of righteousness came through justification. And we are justified by grace through redemption, through his blood, received by faith. We call this imputed righteousness, instead of being judged and condemned for being sinners, Jesus took on our sin debt, he redeemed or paid that debt through his blood, and righteousness was credited to us instead.

There is no condemnation in Christ  (Romans 8:1)

That I am born of God and redeemed, bought by the blood of Jesus, speaks volumes to whom I am as a child of God. Who will inherit the kingdom of God? Two conditions we see in the scriptures. First, those born into it, of the Spirit (John 3:5-7). Second, the righteous, those washed cleansed, justified by the blood of Jesus. Who will not inherit the kingdom of God? Those of the flesh (1 Corinthians 15:50). And the unrighteous (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).* 

Therefore just as one man's transgression brought condemnation to all men, in this same way one man's righteous act brought justification and life (Romans 5:18)

We can easily miss that righteousness is a gift that comes together with life and that it comes through grace. Maybe we miss it because we focus in on the gift of life, "for the wage of sin is death, now, the free grace [gift] of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). Paul writes of the importance of the gift of righteousness to having life, "one man's righteous act brought justification and life," and through Christ "one man's obedience the many will be made righteous" and "the Spirit is life through righteousness" (Romans 5:19; Romans 8:10). 

Imputed righteousness and life go together, as we receive testimony of being born of the Spirit, and being made righteous through justification, washed, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Of course, it makes sense, how can we receive life and approach a holy God if the issue of our unrighteousness is not dealt with. Oh, to see that these are gifts of God, and how blessed are we to have received such gifts that come in the grace of God. Riches from God's grace.