What does Christ’s perfect obedience accomplish for us?
18Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 19For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.
Romans 5:18-19 (ESV)
In Romans 5:18-19, Paul further develops the idea that both Adam and Jesus represent a group of people, and their actions have consequences for those they represent. This concept is known as “Federal Headship” in theology. Paul emphasizes this point in several ways:
- Rom. 5:16 – One sin brought condemnation, but Jesus’ gift brought justification.
- Rom. 5:18 – The result of Adam’s trespass was condemnation for all, but the result of Jesus’ act of righteousness was justification for all.
- Rom. 5:19 – Through Adam’s disobedience, many were made sinners; but through Jesus’ obedience, many will be made righteous.
Let’s focus on verse 19. How are we “made righteous”? It’s “through the obedience of the one man,” Jesus. Jesus didn’t just remove the penalty for our disobedience; he obeyed God perfectly on our behalf, as our representative. While Adam had the opportunity to enjoy blessings by obeying God but chose to disobey (Genesis 2:15–17; 3:6–7), Jesus, the second Adam, knew he would face suffering and death if he obeyed—yet he chose to obey his Father (Mark 14:32–36). When we read about Jesus’ loving obedience in the Gospels, it’s crucial for us because if we are in Christ, his obedience is counted as our obedience.
J. Gresham Machen, the founder of Westminster Theological Seminary, explained it this way: “Christ has not only paid the penalty for Adam’s first sin and our individual sins, but he has also earned eternal life for us. He was our representative both in paying the penalty and in passing the test of obedience. He paid the penalty for us and passed the test for us … Christ not only took the punishment by his death but also earned the reward for us by his perfect obedience to God’s law.”
Machen also points out that while Adam was initially righteous before God, he still had the potential to become unrighteous, which he did when he disobeyed. In contrast, those who are saved by Christ are not only righteous in God’s sight but are also secure in that righteousness. Machen says, “In our case, the test is over … because Christ has stood it for us.” This means that believers no longer face the possibility of losing their righteous standing because Christ has already passed the test of obedience on their behalf. This means that “in Christ” we no longer have the potential to become unrighteous, forever.
This truth was a great comfort to Machen, even on his deathbed. He sent a telegram to John Murray saying, “I’m so thankful for the active obedience of Christ. No hope without it.” Machen found strong comfort in knowing that Jesus’ perfect obedience was credited to his account as if he had done it himself. He knew that God would certainly give him the heavenly reward because Jesus had earned it for him, and God is just.
How does knowing that Jesus’ perfect obedience is credited to you change the way you view your standing before God? How can this truth give you confidence and peace in your daily life?
[The ideas for this week’s materials on Romans 5:12-21 were drawn from Tim Keller’s book “Romans 1-7 for You“]
My answer to today’s question may be a bit redundant, as I’ve answered this question more than once in the course of our study here, but I feel that when it comes to the gospel of grace, redundancy is actually essential😊 That said, I have to say that knowing that Jesus’ perfect obedience is credited to me changes everything about the way I view my standing before God, in that my standing before Him is not contingent upon my own faithfulness and obedience, (in which case I would be doomed,) but rather upon who Christ is and what He has done. To rest in this truth has completely changed my level of confidence and peace, much like it did for J. Gresham Machen as we read about today. I remember when I first became a believer, my understanding of this truth was very unclear, and I spent much of my time and effort in trying to achieve my own right standing before God. This inevitably led to failure, frustration, hypocrisy, shame, and, eventually, relapse. Only once I came to a better understanding of the truth that I am made right not by my own effort, but by Christ’s obedience and the life He lived and then gave for me, was I able to be free from this cycle and have the assurance of hope that can only come through Him. Jesus truly is my one and only hope, in so many different ways, but oh what a glorious and sure hope He is!
I am a bit concerned when I hear messages and discussions that say that because of Christ sacrifice it is impossible for us to then become unrighteous and that all sins have been paid for and we are never again tested. I fear a misuse and an abuse of such ideas. If we misunderstand what is said we may think we are free to do as we will since Jesus paid and overpaid for our sins. Whatever we do would be washed clean a thousand folds – if we misunderstand what that means we would become complacent.
We remember that Paul calls us not to go back to sins as in Roman 6:1-2 but also we are reminded that sins still exists in the world and we are asked to work with the Spirit and participate in our own sanctification to be more and more like Christ each day as it is stated in Philippians 2:12-13: “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”
Jesus sacrifice and His ongoing work assures us that we would always be forgiven but does not mean that we are safe from sins consequences – 1 John 1:8-9: “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
If we still walk in sins then it is contrary to the Spirits in us and we fight against the Father in our heart – I don’t know if we can claim faithfulness if we continue with that path –Galatians 5:16-17: “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.”
And as the Lord Jesus had himself said in Mathew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
So though Jesus sacrifice and His resurrection give me great comfort, I am vigilant to remember that the redemptive work is on going and I am a participant in the work not an observer.