Romans 5

“But the free gift is not like the trespass” (v15).  Many religions teach that our mistakes and sins must be “balanced” by our good acts.  But the Bible teaches that this is impossible – sin leads to total condemnation.  We cannot pay for our sins, but we can accept the free gift of salvation in Jesus, which is infinitely more powerful than the consequences of our sin.  God did not meet us halfway; He “showed His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (v8).

When we accept the free gift of salvation, we are more than forgiven.  We are reconciled with our Father and live in His grace (v1-2).