Romans 5:12

Romans 5:12 says, Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:  We know that when God created the world that He pronounced it good.  Adam and Eve walked and talked with God freely but were given a choice of whether or not to obey God.  Paul states that thorough one man, Adam, sin entered into the world, but we cannot blame Adam for our sins.  Through each individual since Adam, sin enters into our relationship to God.  I do not stand guilty before God for the sins of Adam, but for my own sins.  Verse thirteen adds, (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.  Sin existed in the world from the time of Adam, even before the giving of the Law of God.  Sin has to do with our relationship to God.  Adam was called to obey God, and was told what would happen if he didn't.  We today, when we are born into this world, are born to obey God, and as soon as we know what He wants of us and disobey we earn death.  We cannot blame our separation from God on anything but our own sin.  Verse fourteen continues, Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. This is a continuation of the idea stated in verse thirteen. Death reigned from Adam to Moses, because disobedience to the will of God brought death into the world.  If Adam, or anyone since, had lived in total obedience to God, then Christ's death would not have been necessary.  No one else since Adam and Eve have walked with God as they did in a perfect place to live, but our sins are still our own.  We still have a choice, and still choose sin.  Verse fifteen concludes, But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.  Paul tells us that by the sin of one man many are dead.  The tree of life was removed because of the sin of Adam, but everlasting life was restored by the grace of God through one Man, Jesus Christ. It is up to each individual to accept or reject that gift.  If we do accept it, we like Adam and Eve can walk freely with God as we then have the Holy Spirit living in us.  This is not an option, but an accomplished fact.