Romans 5:17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
This passage of scripture highlights the righteousness and perfect obedience of Christ in contrast with the sin and disobedience of Adam. It is because of the perfect righteousness of Christ which is imputed and imparted to all true believers, why we have any hope of eternal salvation. Christ's obedience was not lop-sided, as is the case with many of us, but was rather perfect in all aspects, from the minutest requirement of the letter of the law, to the larger issues in which the spirit of the law was prominently displayed, in kind and merciful works to all He came in contact with.
Adam's obedience however, became tainted by partaking of the forbidden fruit, and because of his transgression, the human family was plunged into a tailspin of sin, tragedy, misfortune and death, a cycle which could only be broken by the perfect life and sacrifice of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. What is worthy of note is that Adam's sin is not viewed by most people, including Christians, as a big deal, or as a crime deserving of death, and because of this erroneous view, God is often seen as being unfair and harsh in His dealings with the father of our race. Some reason that all Adam did was to eat a fruit, which to him tasted good, so the results of death and decay which are the natural results seem disproportionate in many minds.
But as sacred history shows on several different occasions, many people have lost their lives for apparently simple acts of disobedience. For instance, several billion people died in the flood, "Simply" because they did not walk up a few steps. Lot's wife died and became a pillar of salt "Simply" because she looked back. And Uzzah was electrocuted "Simply" because he touched the ark which was not supposed to be handled by anyone other than the ordained Levites. Let's read:
Genesis 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. 17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it" ..... 19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
Genesis 19:17 And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed. 26 But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.
2nd Samuel 6:6 And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. 7 And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.
All of these instances may seem on the surface to be little, petty acts of disobedience, but when viewed in the larger context of the operation of the universe, the seriousness of such minute offenses, and the accompanying disposition of utter disregard for the commands of God, are seen to be capable of catastrophic consequences. For instance, in order to protect the human family from being utterly destroyed by the pent up forces of nature, and the malice and destructive power of satan, God has commanded four angels to stand at the four corners of the earth, to hold back the winds of strife, lest they blow on the earth, and wipe humanity out of existence. Now if one of those angels were to decide to let the ocean not be kept within its God-ordained bounds, we would be overwhelmed in just minutes and the entire human family would become history. Let's read:
Revelation 7:1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. 2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
A little disobedience can never be good, and our current attitudes of treating lightly any violation of the least of God's commandments, will put us at risk of temporal or eternal loss, if our concepts are not changed. Furthermore, if God were to take us to heaven with the idea that a little disobedience is okay, He will thereby be putting the universe at risk again for another conflict between good and evil. And since this scenario is never going to take place under any circumstances, the onus is on every person to deliberately choose to obey God in every particular, so that He can trust us with greater responsibilities, both now and in the great hereafter.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to cultivate a willing and obedient spirit to all the commands and instructions of God, and He will give us the necessary grace and power to do His good will. Let's read:
Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word. God bless!