Chain Reaction to Death or to Life

Chain Reaction to Death or to Life

“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned . . . .” V. 12.

Here we see a chain reaction that started with Adam’s disobedience. This caused death to spread to all men “because all sinned.” Death gains power because a person sins. Jesus stopped this reaction of sin unto death by learning obedience through sufferings. He suffered, being tempted, and did not sin. Heb. 2:18, 4:15, 5:8-9. Therefore death could not hold Him. Instead of sinning, which led to death, He put sin to death, which led to life. Heb. 2:14; Rom. 8:3. Jesus invited His disciples to follow Him into this new way of reacting of putting sin to death, leading to life, by saying that if wanted to follow Him, he had to hate his own life and take up his cross. Luke 14:26-27. Then they could be His disciples and enter into the chain reaction of putting sin to death and being obedient unto life.

This became possible through the grace we have received through Christ—through the Spirit whom He gave to His disciples on the day of Pentecost, and whom He still gives to His disciples who obey Him. Acts 5:32. Therefore we read further: “For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.” Rom. 5:15.

Here we can clearly see the new chain reaction unto life, which Jesus set in motion. This has become possible by walking in the Spirit. Then the requirement of the law is fulfilled in us. Rom. 8:4. Sin is put to death by the Spirit. V. 13. By walking in the Spirit, the desires of the flesh are not being fulfilled (Gal. 5:16); we belong to Christ if we have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. This is the new chain reaction unto life. V. 24. As His disciples, we then have Jesus as an example of suffering in the flesh. This enables us to cease from sin and to live according to God’s will during the time that we are still in the flesh. 1 Pet. 4:1-2.

Jesus proclaimed this glory as follows: “If anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.” John 8:51. “And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.” This sounds strange, but Jesus continues, “Do you believe this?” John 11:26. Then we can answer with Elizabeth’s words: “Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.” Luke 1:45.