Romans 5:12-21
Introduction
The program committee for a national barber’s convention devised a graphic means of demonstrating the effectiveness of their profession. They found a social derelict on skid row with long, dirty hair. His face was unshaven and his clothes were ragged and filthy. His body reeked of odors of cheap liquor and filth.
The barbers cleaned him up. They gave him a bath, shampoo, shave, haircut, and a manicure. They liberally sprinkled talcum powder on him and added spicy cologne. He was dressed in a new suit and was presented before the convention as a changed man. He certainly looked the part. However, within a week, the man was back on skid row, back in the gutter, back in his former pattern of living. The barbers altered his appearance, but tonsorial services had not changed his inward nature.
Anyone can spend a bit of money and put a man in a new suit, but it takes being clothed with the Spirit of the Lord to put a new man in that suit! “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17.
Thesis
Every person is a sinner by nature and by choice.
Every person is a sinner by nature through imputed sin, v. 12
A. Meaning: All mankind was in Adam participating in his sin and bears the resultant guilt.
B. Results: spiritual and physical death.
C. Remedy: Be born again and receive the imputed righteousness of Christ, 2 Corinthians 5:21.
Every person is a sinner by choice through the sin nature.
A. Meaning: The sin nature is the capacity and inclination to disobey God’s laws, incurring God’s wrath.
B. Results:
- Total depravity, Romans 3:23
- Spiritual death, Romans 6:23
C. Remedy:
- Regeneration, which brings a new nature or new capacity to serve Christ.
- Power of the Indwelling Holy Spirit to give victory over the judged sin nature.