Romans 5:12-21
2 When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. 13 Yes, people sinned even before the law was given. But it was not counted as sin because there was not yet any law to break. 14 Still, everyone died—from the time of Adam to the time of Moses—even those who did not disobey an explicit commandment of God, as Adam did. Now Adam is a symbol, a representation of Christ, who was yet to come. 15 But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. 16 And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. 17 For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.
18 Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. 19 Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.
20 God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. 21 So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Have you ever spilled red wine on a light carpet? The immediate reaction is panic, knowing that the stain could leave a permanent mark. So you start grabbing towels and dabbing at it to stop the spread and deepen. As quickly as you can, you get some cleaning solution and start spraying. If you have the right cleaning products, the carpet can be saved because the solution is more powerful than the stain.
This is the story of your life.
Adam's sin was like that spreading stain—pervasive, affecting everything it touched, seemingly permanent. It is that moment of anger that poisons a relationship. It is the choice that echos through your life still. It is every decision that pulls us further from God and from other. Sin doesn't stay contained—it spreads into every corner of your life, your family, your world.
But here's what Paul wants you to grasp today: Christ's grace is more powerful than Adam's sin.
Not equally powerful. Not just barely enough. More powerful.
So often, we can feel defeated by our sins. Addictions we can not shake, patterns of selfishness that destroy our relationships, appetites that fill us with shame. Paul's message is this: where sin increased in your life, grace increased all the more. Wherever there is a stain God quickly pours out his grace on you to wash away any blemish. His love leaves you stain free and clean.
Here's what this means for you today:
Sin is not defeated with strength. You'll always lose that battle. The power that brought death through one man's disobedience is real—you can't just "try harder" your way out of sin's grip. Its like scrubbing wine with no solution.
Start receiving what Christ freely offers. Notice verse 17: "all who receive it will live in triumph." Not "all who earn it" or "all who deserve it." Grace is a gift held out to you. Your job isn't to manufacture righteousness—it's to receive what's been won for you.
Let grace reframe your worst moments. When you fail today (and you probably will), do not hide, distract or deny what happened. Rather, allow sin to drive you to grace. Christ's obedience is greater than your disobedience. His righteousness is stronger than your failure. His life is more powerful than your death.
The stain doesn't get the final word. The Cleaner does.
