God Promised a Savior

God would keep his promise, but the people of God waited in anticipation for the Messiah for generations and generations following the sin of Adam and Eve. Adam had really lived, but like so many others throughout God's story, he was a representation, a metaphor. “Since by the one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive the overflow of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:17). Sin-bringing Adam (who failed in his purpose in the garden) took the life extended to him and caused death to rule over many. Sin-bearing Jesus (who determined to carry out His purpose in the Garden of Gethsemane) took the death sinners deserve, "entrusted himself to the one who judges justly" in our place to provide life and healing for all those who believe. Although Adam had become evil, haunted by nostalgia of former goodness, Jesus who "knew no sin" became Adam's and our only hope for restoration. For those engrafted into this spiritual family it is abundantly more than that: It is coming home to God forever. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 6:23)