Covered in His Dust normally lands in your inbox like clockwork, and I don't like breaking that rhythm. But I'd rather send you something that's right than something that's rushed.
Two things have slowed me down.
First, I've been dealing with some recurring nerve pain that's made it difficult to sit at my desk for very long. Thankfully, it's nothing serious, but it’s slowed the writing process.
Second, we've arrived at what I honestly believe is the most difficult passage I've ever studied in all my years of reading and teaching the Bible.
Romans 5:12-21.
At first glance, it feels familiar. You recognize the words. You recognize Adam. You recognize Jesus. But it's a little like looking across a valley covered in morning fog. You can see the outlines, but you can't quite make out how everything fits together.
That's what makes this passage so deceptive. Its familiarity tricks us into thinking we've understood it, when in reality Paul's reasoning is still hidden beneath the surface.
Before Monday, read Romans 5:12-21. Maybe even read it two or three times. Although Monday's study will focus on verses 12-14, the entire passage (12-21) is one connected argument.
12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned, 13 for until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.
15 But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. 16 The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification. 17 For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.
18 So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. 19 For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. 20 The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
One of the reasons I started Covered in His Dust is because I spent too many years rushing through Scripture. I don't do that anymore. If that means a study arrives a few days late, I'm good with that.
I'll see you on Monday.
I love you,
George
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George Sisneros is a full-time missionary in Guatemala and the founder of Ordinary Missionaries and the El Rosario Christian Academy for Boys.
He’s been married to his wife, Vonda, for 28 years. He’s a father to nine children, five adopted.
In 2024, George and his wife expanded to Cuba, joining forces with nine pastors committed to transforming lives through the gospel.