Many Christians seem to have an identity problem. If we settle the issue, once and for all, much will become clearer and Christians will be stronger in faith and just daily living.
We are well aware of the problems. We know about sin and death, about the struggles to understand God's word and disagreements over doctrines. Sometimes things get too personal. We need something to change our attitudes so that we can live in harmony.
Adam represents the human race in sin, defeat and rebellion against God. We can trace every evil back to that terrible decision in Eden. However, to dwell on the problems is not the way to resolve them. That much is obvious from the state of the church at present. Instead, we need to realise that we already have the answers built into us.
We need to know in our hearts, in the depths of our being, that we are no longer the people that we were born to be. God stepped in, saved us, and recreated us to be new people. We need to know that Jesus is now our "Last Adam". As the first Adam represents us in sin and death, so the "Last Adam", Jesus, represents us to God in holiness and righteousness. As all who are "in Adam", so to speak, are dead in trespass and sin, so all who are in Christ are alive in holiness and righteousness.
God includes us in Christ when we accept Him. We have the right to be called Children of God. We are new creations, brand new people. We are partakers of the divine nature. We are in the Spirit whether we know it or not. We died and our lives are hidden in Christ with God. There are many passages that confirm these truths. One of the clearest is this:
Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.… (2 Peter 1: 3 & 4)
However, whether we live out of who we are now in Christ or who we used to be Adam is a choice that we must make daily. When we realise what God has done for us in Christ, the choice is easier. And when we discover how deceptive, helpless and useless we are apart from Christ, we will turn to Him gladly. Choose today who you will serve. it's either the self that is of the old Adam or the new life that is ours in Christ. The ball is in your court.
We are well aware of the problems. We know about sin and death, about the struggles to understand God's word and disagreements over doctrines. Sometimes things get too personal. We need something to change our attitudes so that we can live in harmony.
Adam represents the human race in sin, defeat and rebellion against God. We can trace every evil back to that terrible decision in Eden. However, to dwell on the problems is not the way to resolve them. That much is obvious from the state of the church at present. Instead, we need to realise that we already have the answers built into us.
We need to know in our hearts, in the depths of our being, that we are no longer the people that we were born to be. God stepped in, saved us, and recreated us to be new people. We need to know that Jesus is now our "Last Adam". As the first Adam represents us in sin and death, so the "Last Adam", Jesus, represents us to God in holiness and righteousness. As all who are "in Adam", so to speak, are dead in trespass and sin, so all who are in Christ are alive in holiness and righteousness.
God includes us in Christ when we accept Him. We have the right to be called Children of God. We are new creations, brand new people. We are partakers of the divine nature. We are in the Spirit whether we know it or not. We died and our lives are hidden in Christ with God. There are many passages that confirm these truths. One of the clearest is this:
Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.… (2 Peter 1: 3 & 4)
However, whether we live out of who we are now in Christ or who we used to be Adam is a choice that we must make daily. When we realise what God has done for us in Christ, the choice is easier. And when we discover how deceptive, helpless and useless we are apart from Christ, we will turn to Him gladly. Choose today who you will serve. it's either the self that is of the old Adam or the new life that is ours in Christ. The ball is in your court.
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