Sin

Romans 5:12-21

“Sin is any lack of conformity to the moral law of God. Original sin is the state of all human beings at birth, and includes their sin nature, which is the root of all actual sins that violate God’s law.”- Gregg R. Allison

Four Divine Truths

  1. Consequences of Adam's Sin (vv. 12-14) 

  2. Contrasts Between Adam and Christ  (vv. 15-17)  

  3. Comparison Between Adam and Christ  (vv. 18-19)

  4. Competition Between Law and Grace  (vv. 20-21) 

Life Group Discussion Questions

  1. As a group, come up with some real-world examples of individuals or small groups of people who have made decisions that changed the lives of millions. How do these examples make you feel? What is your response to one or a few people making choices that impact many?

  2. According to our passage, what came into the world through Adam’s decision (in the Garden of Eden)? What came into the world through Christ’s decision (in the Garden of Gethsemane)? What is your response to the way these two decisions impact many?

  3. According to Paul, what does sin produce in the world? What does sin produce in our lives? What are the most real and painful consequences of sin in your life right now?

  4. According to Paul, what does grace produce in our lives – if/when we trust in the gospel through true faith? Where and how do you most struggle to receive this free gift? Where and how do you most struggle to believe that these things are true for you?

Proposed Statement of Faith

The first man and woman were created innocent of sin, but rebelled against God and thus introduced sin and death into the human race. Consequently, all people have a sinful nature that has corrupted every aspect of their being; they are spiritually dead in their sins. Every sinner is wholly inclined toward evil and rebellion against God and can do nothing righteous in their own strength. As a result, all people are by nature servants of sin and under God’s wrath. They are subject to all of the harmful and deadly consequences of their sin both temporal and eternal, unless the Lord Jesus Christ sets them free through the message of the gospel. Only God’s grace in Jesus Christ can restore people to a right relationship with God.

Main Text: Romans 5:12-21

Other Key Texts: Psalm 51; James 1:13-15

For Further Study: Greg Gilbert, What is the Gospel?

“The essence of sin is man substituting himself for God, while the essence of salvation is God substituting himself for man.” - John Stott