Triumph

Romans 5:17 NLT 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.

If asked to quote one scripture that captures the entire gospel message, most would quickly think of John 3:16. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” But Romans 5:17 fully expresses the mission of Jesus: to break the curse of sin and death!

The reality is that all of mankind was cursed when sin came into this world. We immediately became destined to eternal separation from a loving God. Sin’s consequences were devastating, trapping us in cycles of guilt, shame, and ultimately death. Not only spiritual death, but physical death was ushered into this world: “For you were made from dust, and to dust you will return.” (Genesis 3:19). But God always had a plan! Romans 8:2 states, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.” This new law of the Spirit is filled with the grace of Jesus and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, freeing us from the chains of sin and granting us new identities as sons and daughters of God.

In a 1789 letter, Benjamin Franklin famously stated, “But in this world nothing is certain, except death and taxes.” Death is the stark reality that all of mankind is under the curse brought on by sin. A curse that no man can break himself, but only through the blood of Jesus, the spotless lamb, can we be free from the “law of sin and death.” Paul said it this way: “You lived in this world without God and without hope. But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.” Ephesians 2:12-13. The crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Jesus pays the price of sin and allow us to live triumphantly over sin and death.

Under the new law of the Spirit, we are declared righteous before God through Christ’s sacrifice. This truth is beautifully told in 2 Corinthians 5:21, "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." Our new position in Christ changes everything. We are no longer identified by our failures but by Christ's victory over sin and death.

Experiencing this new freedom requires daily engagement with the Spirit. Galatians 5:16 teaches us, “walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." This is not just about trying our hardest to be good or an abstinence from sin, but immersing ourselves in the life-giving presence of God, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to overcome temptation and live victoriously free. “Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteousness.” Romans 6:18 NLT.

Are you living free or still struggling under the penalty of sin, bound to the endless cycle of guilt and shame? Surrender every portion of your life to Christ, and receive the healing that only He can bring. Freedom from past hurts, wounds, and emotional baggage to live in the full relationship with Him that was intended from creation. The miracle of heaven is eternal life, just as God designed and existed in the Garden of Eden. Revelation 22:14 NLT “Blessed are those who wash their robes white. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life.” But the good news is you can experience that freedom now! There is no reason to wait.

Romans 8:1-2 NLT So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.

1 Corinthians 15:21-22 NLT Just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man. Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life.

Romans 5:15-16 NLT 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.

John 10:9-10 GNT I am the gate. Those who come in by me will be saved; they will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only in order to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come in order that you might have life—life in all its fullness.

Philippians 3:8-9 NLT Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.

Revelation 21:3-5 NIV And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, I am making everything new! Then he said, Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.

Philippians 2:9-11 NIV Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Acts 4:12 NIV Salvation is found in no one else but Jesus, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.

Galatians 3:13 NLT But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.

2 Timothy 1:9-10 NIV God has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

Romans 8:37 NASB But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.