We did not commit Adam’s particular sin, but we were born into the world his sin produced. Adam and Eve were driven from Eden, and every generation since has been born outside the garden—into a world where sin is present, death is certain, and humanity is alienated from the life of God. Paul writes, “Through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin” (Romans 5:12). We were born east of Eden.

That helps explain the human condition. We are not merely people who occasionally make bad choices. We were born into a fallen world, and every one of us becomes a sinner in our own right. We cannot blame Adam for our pride, bitterness, selfishness, or rebellion. Our sins are genuinely ours. Adam explains the world into which we were born, but he does not excuse the sins we have committed.

But the gospel does not end with Adam. Paul says, “As by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous” (Romans 5:19). Adam disobeyed. Jesus obeyed. Adam’s world is marked by sin and death. Christ brings grace and life.

Paul says, “As sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign…through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 5:21). That is the good news: sin reigned, but grace reigns. We were born into alienation, but Christ offers reconciliation. We were born under sin’s dominion, but Christ offers freedom. We were born under the shadow of death, but Jesus offers eternal life. We were born east of Eden, but Jesus came into Adam’s world so that through Him we might enter His kingdom.

And when Paul describes us as dead in trespasses and sins, he follows it with two of the greatest words in Scripture: “But God…” “But God, who is rich in mercy…made us alive together with Christ” (Ephesians 2:4–5). We were dead, but God. We were alienated, but God. Sin reigned, but God. Death reigned, but God.

We were born east of Eden. But through Jesus Christ, God is bringing His children home.