FAITH: Two Towering Figures In History!

Way back in 1960 a man named Sam Cooke wrote a song entitled, “What A Wonderful World.” The lyrics said, “Don’t know much about history, don’t know much about biology, don’t know much about science books, don’t know much about the French I took; but I do know that I love you, and I know that if you love me too, what a wonderful world it would be.”

Perhaps this song describes your and my approach to high school! Thankfully, the Bible tells us that when it comes to history only two towering figures really matter. Two people- Adam and the Lord Jesus- are the most important people in history. Romans 5 is the cliff notes to history. If we understand Adam and Jesus we will understand the meaning of life.

Romans 5:12 reads, “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned…” This verse contains very bad news. Four propositions are found in this verse. First, sin entered the world through Adam. “…just as sin came into the world through one man…” Second, death entered the world through Adam’s sin. “…and death through sin…” Third, death spread to all people because of Adam’s sin. “…and so death spread to all men…” Fourth, God credited the guilt of all Adam’s sin to all people. “…because all sinned…”

God chose Adam to represent us in the garden of Eden. The reality of a historical Adam is foundational to the Christian faith. Jesus believed in a historical Adam. In Luke 3 Adam is recorded in the genealogy of Jesus through Mary. In Mark 10 Jesus quoted from Genesis 1:27 and Genesis 2:24. He quoted Genesis as historically true. In John 8:44 Jesus alluded to the serpent and to Satan and to the fall in the garden.

In Matthew 23:35 Jesus directly affirmed a historical Adam by referring to the son of Adam. Jesus said, “Upon you will fall the guilt of all the righteous blood shed on earth from the blood of righteous Abel (Adam’s son) to the blood of Zechariah.”

The apostle Paul in Romans 5 also believed in a historical Adam. Adam led us into sin and death. Is it unfair that Adam represented us in the garden? No. In the Olympics our very best athletes represent us. Adam was untouched by sin. He had a wonderful helpmate- Eve. He was in a garden. He only faced one test. Adam was our Michael Phelps. Adam was our Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers. He was the very best we had. However, he failed. Adam opened Pandora’s box for us.

It is also not unfair because you and I would have made the very same choice. We choose to sin every day. Also, (this is very important) if Adam represented us then Jesus can represent us!

Thankfully, there is very, very good news. Everything we lost in Adam can be more than regained in the Lord Jesus. Adam brought failure. Jesus regained paradise for His people. Jesus brought us grace instead of judgment. Romans 5:15 says, “But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one Man Jesus Christ abounded for many.” Jesus died for us on the cross. Grace is God’s unmerited favor when we deserved the opposite. We declared war on God through our sin but Jesus died for us!

Jesus brought us justification instead of condemnation. Romans 5:16 reads, “…the free gift following many trespasses brought justification.” How can an unholy person face a perfect God after death? The answer is Jesus. He brings us justification or righteousness before God. Jesus offers a perfect standing before God.

Jesus also brought us life instead of death. Romans 5:17 says, “For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one Man Jesus Christ.” The gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ.

Sam Cooke sang about a wonderful life. No earthly relationship brings perfect happiness. A wonderful life is found in knowing God. We can know God by understanding the problem (our sin) and understanding the solution. The solution is the perfect work of Jesus who died and suffered for our sins. He was raised from the dead demonstrating His sacrifice was perfect. Put your faith and trust in the Lord Jesus today!

Pastor Ethan Hansen

Faith Bible Fellowship

Big Lake, AK