The gift of life

The two most influential men in history are no doubt Adam, the one who brought sin into the world, and Jesus the one who took it all away. Let me explain with a little Greek exegesis the gift that Jesus offers. 

"But the free gift is not like the trespass. For it the man died through the one man's trespass. much more surely have  the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abounded for many. And the free gift is not like the effect of the one man's sin. For the judgment following on trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brings justification." - Romans 5:15-16.

The gift is not like the trespass (parapatoma), which literally means to slip or fall sideways. It is in a sense very similar to the word sin (hamartia), which means to miss the mark. The gift (dorea) is more fully defined in verse 17 as “the gift of the rightness,”(Doreas tas dikaiosunes). The gift is the condition of righteousness into which the sinner enters. The word used here for gift (dorea) in contrast with (doma) another word for gift, is reserved for the highest and best gift. Therefore in Jesus Christ lies the greatest gift reserved for those who have slipped or fallen sideways.

Through the disobedient act of one man Adam, condemnation was passed. But the “free gift” (charisma) given after the commission of many sins, issues a reversal in judgment and a confirmation of a new and righteous status for those who accept this gift.

Thank you God for the gift of life. I do not deserve anything but because of the love you have shown through the cross I can be made righteous again. Thank you. Amen.