Essays in Romans 5:12-21 Adam, Jesus and the Tsunami of Grace

Paul does not deny the reality of sin. He does not minimize its consequences. Sin is destructive. Sin corrupts. Sin enslaves. Sin kills. Everywhere we look we see evidence of its reign. Broken relationships, shattered dreams, violence, suffering, disease, and death all testify to the presence of sin in our world. Yet no matter how great sin becomes, God’s grace is greater. Paul is not describing a close contest. He is not picturing sin rising to one level and grace barely managing to keep pace. The language suggests abundance upon abundance—grace overflowing beyond every boundary. Imagine standing on a beach watching a small wave roll toward the shore. Then suddenly a massive tsunami rises behind it, swallowing the wave entirely. That is something of the picture Paul paints here. Sin may be powerful, but grace is overwhelming.