Romans 5:12-14 - 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— for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.

In Romans 5:12-14, Paul teaches that sin and death entered the world through Adam's disobedience. Although sin existed before the law was given, it was not counted as sin until there was a law to break. Yet even without breaking a specific commandment, death reigned over all people from Adam until Moses. This shows that all people are inherently sinful due to our connection to Adam. While Adam's sin brought condemnation, Jesus offers the hope of righteousness and life for those who receive God's gift of grace. Adam serves as a type or symbol that points to Christ, who was yet to come and undo the damage of sin through His perfect life and atoning death.

These verses reveal our hopeless condition apart from Christ. As descendants of Adam, we are born into sin and subject to death. Even before committing any personal sins, each of us stands condemned because of our nature inherited from our first father. This is a sobering reminder of just how pervasive and powerful sin is within us. Yet it also shows God's amazing grace - that though we have all sinned and fall short of His glory, Christ stepped in and took the punishment we deserve. His righteousness can be imputed to us so that we might be made right with God. While the effects of Adam's sin still linger, those who place their faith in Jesus have the hope of eternal life. His perfect obedience undoes the curse of the first Adam. Though we continue to struggle with sin, we no longer have to be defined or condemned by it because of what Christ has done.

Lord, thank You for revealing the hopeless state we are in apart from You. Forgive us for the ways we have denied our sinful nature or made excuses for our wrongdoing. We praise You for providing a way of salvation through Jesus. Grant us repentance from sin and faith in Your Son. Help us to turn from our old ways and walk in newness of life through Your Spirit at work within us. May Your grace that has appeared to all people teach us to say no to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives. To You be all glory and honor. Amen.