“For as by one man ’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous” (Romans 5:19).

Some people have the notion that Christ’s atonement returns believers to a position similar to that of our first parents before falling into sin, but believers are given much more. True, the Lord paid the penalty for sin, bearing the curse of the law, but He also actively qualified His people for eternal life.

Adam and Eve did not possess eternal life before sinning and actually failed the Lord’s test that might have qualified them. Because of their failure, they were denied access to the Tree of Life, came under God’s curse, and their descendants also were “made” sinners. We all are unable to qualify ourselves for eternal life.

The good news is that the Lord Jesus did qualify us. He not only bore the penalty for our sin, submitting to the condemning aspects of the law, but also actively and perfectly fulfilled the law’s demands, reaping blessings for His people. He removed the blotch of Adam and Eve’s sin and replaced it with the cloak of His perfect righteousness. Christians may boldly enter the Father’s presence not only because they are clean but also because they are righteous—in Christ.

Anyone and everyone, therefore, entering heaven must be clothed in perfect righteousness. The apostle wrote in our text that “by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” Christians stand before the Holy Father justified because their robes glisten with Christ’s perfections.

Some may object that Adam’s imputed sin results in condemnation and death to us, but let all rejoice that the imputed righteousness of the last Adam results in justification and eternal life for all who trust in Him. PGH