It sounds terrible, and it is terrible: the sin of one person has resulted in everybody being condemned (Romans 5:12).  The good news is that Jesus Christ accepted all of God's condemnation against every person in the world (and at every point in time).  It is God’s will that all might come to repentance and live free of guilt and punishment in this life and eternity (2 Peter 3:9).  He wants everybody to trust His Word that all who believe in Jesus will be saved (1 Timothy 2:4).  Therefore, it is possible for anybody to be released from their guilt because Jesus has been punished instead of us.

Of course, the sin of Adam and Eve has spread through all humanity.  We are not condemned for their sins but for ours; every one of us practises disobedience and sin for which we all deserve judgement (2 Corinthians 5:10).  However, God, the judge, has the right to pardon all those who accept that the sacrifice of Jesus was for them (1 John 1:9).

More than that, we are not only spared punishment, but we are declared righteous.  In other words, in Christ we are considered to be as holy as He is.  This idea is staggering to us.  When we look at ourselves, we cannot see holiness.  Instead, we grieve over our sin and we feel most unworthy.  But when God looks at us, He does not see our sin because Jesus has taken it away ... all He sees is the righteousness of Christ (Romans 3:21-26).

How much we need to grasp this truth!  The world, the flesh and the devil may all remind us of our worthlessness; but these verses assure us that, by faith, condemnation has been replaced by justification and disobedience has been replaced by righteousness. That is the truth in which we need to live.  That is the truth which will refute the devil's lies and our own internal doubting.  So, today, give thanks and go out in the confidence that you are totally accepted by God.