In this portion of Romans chapter 5, Paul compares and contrasts Jesus and Adam, two representatives of humankind. Both are direct children of God and were born without sin. They each had the opportunity to obey God’s command and faced significant choices at two specific trees: Adam regarding the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:17) and Christ regarding the tree that bears the fruit of righteousness, the cross (1 Peter 2:24). One tree was forbidden, while the other invited partaking. One disobeyed, and the other obeyed. Both Adams were in a garden when they chose to follow God’s command or disregard it—one in Eden and the other in Gethsemane. Both consumed fruit: one led to death, while the other leads to life for all who believe (Genesis 3; Luke 22:42).
The consequence of the first Adam’s sin is death. Everyone is in Adam because all die; therefore, all have sinned in Adam. However, all are invited to partake of the second tree with the second Adam, Jesus, which leads to life, though not everyone responds to this gift. One fruit was forbidden, and everyone partook of it, while the other fruit is freely given, yet not everyone chooses to receive it. However, to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God (John 1:12).
What makes a Christian a Christian is the recognition that they are in Adam and in sin, acknowledging that death is inevitable and that they are in need of salvation. A Christian believes in the gift offered by the tree that bore the righteousness of Christ and responds to the invitation to accept this gift of life freely (Ephesians 2:8-9). A Christian is justified by the fruit of the second tree, the death of Jesus, who brought about the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). Where one tree introduced a nature contrary to God, the second tree brought forth the fruit of the Spirit of God (Galatians 5:16-26).
How much greater is the fruit of Christ? The effects of Christ’s righteousness bring grace that super-abounds in those who believe, so that even when they sin, we are continually covered by the blood of Christ through grace.
Father, help us take up our cross and follow Jesus, bearing much fruit. Help us recognize that we are dead in Adam and alive in You, Lord Jesus. Guide us to live in the truth of being justified by Your Son, so that we may embody the fruit of Your righteousness as children of God.