Jesus was the original; Adam was the type (Romans 5:14). God’s plan for Christ’s coming was not an afterthought. We are connected to Adam by our humanity, and are subject to death through him. But even better, we are connected to Christ by our faith, and can receive eternal life through him.3 ways Christ and his work are superior over Adam and his work:
(1) The Abounding Grace of Christ
The saving work of Christ is must stronger than the destructive work of Adam’s sin.
(2) The Perfect Obedience of Christ
Christ’s flawless obedience conquered Adam’s fatal disobedience. And millions of flawed people can now be counted righteous as a result of faith in Jesus.
(3) The Reign of Life
Instead of death (the result of Adam’s work), the climax of Christ’s grace and obedience is eternal life. “Grace through the free gift of righteousness leads to the triumph of life, and all of that through Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:17). If, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
Adam’s sin was a big thing. But it wasn’t as big as Christ's gift. Jesus shines the brightest.
