Salvation, Sanctification, and Struggle

10/26/22 – 11/03/22

Adam Fell

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  10/29/22

Read Romans 5:12-14.

Why does death seem to reign supreme? No matter how much we try to escape it or how invincible we may feel, death is inevitable for us all. And in Romans 5:12-14, the apostle Paul shares why.

It was Adam’s sin against God that first activated the power of sin, bringing physical and spiritual death upon both himself and all his descendants. But don’t misunderstand this—Paul is not saying that sin and rebellion originated in Adam. For sin and rebellion against God began in Satan’s mind.

Satan tempted Adam, but Adam had a choice: Should I obey Satan or obey God? My friend, you and I face this same question every single day. Inside each of us, two natures are fighting—the flesh against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh. And this is even true for those of us who enjoy new life in Christ.

By obeying Satan, Adam fell, and the poison of the forbidden fruit was death, not only for Adam but for all his descendants—meaning you, me, and everyone who has ever lived. But the Scripture makes it very clear that while we are all born in sin, by nature at enmity with God, only the cross of Jesus Christ can rescue us from our sin and transform us into the likeness of Christ. Adam fell, but Christ arose. And now in Christ the believer wins.

Where in your life are you being tempted? Fight back now by sharing your struggle with a fellow believer.

Prayer: Lord, thank You that, in Christ, I win. I know Your Spirit will have the victory in my heart and bring me closer and closer to Christlikeness. I long to be like my Savior. May I keep in step with Your Spirit and always give thanks for the changes You are working in my heart. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—” (Romans 5:12).