Paul explains in no uncertain terms how we received the gift of righteousness; it's the work of God's grace, undeserved and unmerited favour. He compares it to what happened to us when sin was passed on to us from Adam so that just by the fact we were born into this world, we became sinners. In Christ, we are born again into righteousness. Halleluyah!
But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.
Romans 5:15-19 NLT.
This is simply amazing, I wish the world could hear this; God's free gift to you is right standing with him accomplished by the sacrifice of God him.
As a result, Paul says sin has no power over us.
We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God.
Romans 6:6-10 NLT.
My God. Halleluyah! Sin does not have any power over us anymore.
