I sin, you sin, we all sin

Reading

Romans 5.18-21

Therefore just as one man’s trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man’s act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all. For just 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. But law came in, with the result that the trespass multiplied; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, just as sin exercised dominion in death, so grace might also exercise dominion through justification leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Reflection

If we understand creation as being in a fallen state then individual human beings are part and parcel of that fallenness.

So does that mean we don’t have to take individual responsibility for the things we do wrong? Are people a result of the badness that is in the world, in societies and in individual people’s circumstances? How much personal responsibility do we need take for our failings?

The Bible would find the question about whether sin is corporate or individual rather an odd question. The two are closely linked. Paul, writing to the Romans, makes the link between the sin of the one Adam and the sin of the many. Likewise the beneficial effects of the redemption brought about by one man (Jesus) spreads to the many (all Christians).

Our own actions are influenced by many factors – and the consequences of those actions go far beyond affecting only ourselves.

Challenge

Sometimes, things aren’t our fault, but they are our responsibility. Can you think of a situation like that in your life?