Text: 1 Corinthians 15:12-28
“Do you want the good news or the bad news first?”
The question we all love getting from someone in our life.
I always choose the bad news first. I like to get it over with. I don’t want my ice cream before my Brussels sprouts. Just let me plow through the bitterness. I’ll deal with it, one bite at a time, and then I’ll savor my sweet ending.
And while there is beauty in the story of creation, Adam and Eve isn’t a feel-good story. The fall of man, our betrayal and ultimate separation from our loving Father, it really is the bad news first.
Yet thankfully, that’s not where the story ends.
Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 12-19, that without Christ and His resurrection we can’t be raised from the dead. We are still in our sins. We are still separated from our Creator in this life and in death. We are still Adam. Now and forever.
Gulp.
But (and I’ve never been more grateful for a “but” in my life), Paul still gets to tell us the good news. And it’s the best news of all.
“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.” (1 Cor. 15:20-22)
God didn’t just leave us with our plate of Brussels sprouts, that Adam ordered for all of us, to heap on our plates, family style. God had a plan to rescue us. To win us back to His sweet table. And that plan, was a Second Adam. But this Adam was perfect and faultless. This Adam was His Son, sent as a Man, just like Adam, to undo what Adam had done. What you and I have done. To resurrect us in a way that Adam never could. This Adam was the last Adam the world would ever need (1 Cor. 15:45).
God gave us the ultimate Good News. The Good News that cancels out any bad news. He gave us Christ. And in Him we are made alive. Now and forever.
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64 thoughts on "the second adam: a fresh start in Christ"
Thank you Lord!!!!
1 Corinthians is saying that because Jesus was raised from the dead, we do not have to remain in our sins! I'm so thankful for this second, third, fourth, fifth, one hundredth chance to make things right. I am like the dead that needs new life breathed into me so that I may fulfill God's purpose for my life and the life of others.
I was reminded of the song "Redeemed" by Big Daddy Weave. We are set free because of the blood and resurrection of Jesus Christ. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VzGAYNKDyIU
Thanks be to God! In Him we are alive! This post and today's reading is just what my heart was seeking on this bustling day. I believe this is my first ever comment on this She Reads Truth blog, despite the fact I've been reading along with your devotionals since the beginning of this wonderful community. This series is already pushing me. Several years ago our home burned down and with it every bible I've owned. You've encouraged me to finally replace those bibles, and it has been so liberating getting out of the bible phone app and into the pages of His word. Looking forward to the rest of this series and many more with She Reads Truth!
I am new to SRT, and I have filled a whole in my heart with a sisterhood in God's love, and his word. I just want to say thank you to all you ladies for your excellent writing, and making it so easy to read and understand and really feel the message in what God is wanting us to hear. Praise Jesus and all you ladies!
This was such a great post, especially after the last couple of days. It's so good for us to concentrate on Jesus rather than on the Fall. "Turn your eyes upon Jesus" is one of my favorite hymns, and this devotional today really speaks to that. Instead of spending so much time focused on our sin, on our problems, we need to turn our eyes upon Him. The sin is there (of that there is no doubt), but we'll get tripped up if we keep our eyes focused on where we've been. Instead, focus on where we're going. Focus on Jesus.
Amen.. You are so right.
My favorite line in "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" has always been "Second Adam from above, reinstate us in Thy love." Thanks SRT for getting such a triumphant song stuck in my head! :)
Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Let’s fix our eyes on the second Adam who has come to give life to the full. I listened to a sermon last night about fixing our gaze on Jesus instead of our sin. What a beautiful thing that we get to look at the One who makes us righteous instead of the things the enemy would like to throw in our face time and time again. By fixing our eyes on Him we can see the wonderful plans He has for us and step into the victories He has prepared. Love this fresh start plan! Blessings to you ladies of SRT :)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. Eph 1:3
The new year brings into focus this Fresh start! I have the privilege of being in the place of maximizing my time to spend to be quiet before The Lord! I am filled with HOPE this morning with all I know The Lord has for us who walk with HIM through reading and praying through these scriptures and devotions.
O magnify The Lord with me and let us exhalt HIS name together,!!
When I see the mess that has been made of His creation – and I see the harmful effects of generations of sin – I ask Him for forgiveness. I ask Him to forgive those who came before us and left the mess for us to live in. And I ask Him forgivness for any part we are playing in the future of those who will walk after we are gone.
But I follow that up with thanksgiving – Thanksgiving for the future home that He has promised us with. A city with streets, that are paved with gold. An eternity of His Presence, with no shadow of the past. An eternity – free of snakes.
I am grateful, that one day, He will be so close, that at any moment, we can reach out for His hand, it will already be there. Eternity with Him……the perfect ending to the perfect beginning…..
"An eternity free of snakes" – what a wonderful thing to look forward to! ;)
amen amen!!!! Great lesson, without Christ we are nothing.
Yes! Sometimes I get into this false perception that I have not been made new by Christ, and that I must adhere to attaining perfection to get redemption; that nothing in life will ever change unless I become a "better" person. No! Redemption comes from Christ alone! And He alone gives me the strength to embrace the newness He's created me to be. This is exactly what I needed to hear today!
A while back I wrote a poem about reconciliation in the midst of winter, and how at the time I was hoping and praying that the snow would truly "bury the hatchet handles sticking out" (because I had come to peace with many people, but it wasn't to where we could all move on; we were still tripping over what had happened). One of the last lines went something like "[bury all this] until the black is put to death/until there's no death left." verse 26 of the passage, "The last enemy to be destroyed is death" really touched me because of it. Reconciliation has come, and healing as occurred (God is SO GOOD and FAITHFUL!). Lord, thank you for already accomplishing so much of this in our lives as we willingly submit to your will! What an awesome God we serve, that He would kill all death for us!
Today, ladies, I would appreciated prayer in the area of battling and putting to death the idol of people-pleasing. I've been a total pushover in a few friendships, and while I know I am to just leave them where they're at in the past and move forward, I once again made unnecessary efforts to secure my "reputation" with someone who in all reality probably doesn't care that much and isn't good for where my life is being directed. Argh! After God being so faithful in giving me perfect ways out, I've blatantly disobeyed Him again! I've dug myself into another hole. Pray that I'd have the courage to really just tell the truth and leave friendships that I know aren't good for me, and to stop feeling the pressure to please others above God.
I will be praying for you AnnaLee. I struggle with people-pleasing as well. Thankfully God will fight this battle for us if we ask! Even if we have to ask over and over again, which I often do.
I pray AnnaLee, that today God close (permanently) the door to these relationships. That He free you from any obligation – and bring peace to the void. I pray that He reveal to you, what you are missing, by walking your own path – and I pray that the desire to follow Him becomes greater than the desire to please others.
He truly has amazing relationships set aside for you. I pray you free yourself from the ones that come with thorns, to embrace the ones that come with blessings.
God bless you today sweet girl…..
Oh, AnnaLee, I feel your pain. I fought this particular battle in one friendship for four or five years. I will definitely be praying for you. People pleasing can be such a stronghold in our lives, I know.
The funny thing is, once I got over my intense desire to be liked by everyone, and just started telling the truth and standing up for myself, no one was actually upset or had a bad opinion of me after all. Yes, some of those friendships naturally weakened or faded away (which is only natural anyway), but there was never the huge falling out as I expected.
I'm not saying that the same thing will happen in your life, because I don't know your position. I am saying, though, that the Lord will work good in your life from your overcoming, and that all of these little aspects of your life will be useful for the kingdom one day!
Thank you all so much. I so appreciate your prayers and insight! Love you sisters! Blessings.
I’ve never thought of Christ as a Second Adam. What a fantastic comparison!
Thank you for this! Since I discovered shereadstruth, I feel like a kid on Christmas morning…every day! Unwrapping each topic & assigned reading is such a blessing throughout my day :-)
I used to wake up excited about a cup of coffee, now I’m more excited about shereadstruth (with coffee)!
Thank you for sharing your gift with us!! It is much needed & greatly appreciated!!
"I used to wake up excited about a cup of coffee, now I'm more excited about shereadstruth (with coffee)!"
My thoughts exactly :)
I feel the exact same way!
“For as in Adam ALL die, even so in Christ shall ALL be made alive! (I Cor 15:22)
I’m so thankful today that the redemption our Savior offers is available to ALL! There is no sin greater than the grace of Jesus!
I just have to say, Sarah –
"God didn’t just leave us with our plate of Brussels sprouts…"
That is some good writing, my friend. I laughed out loud and then thought, "what a great image of what God has done." Thanks!
Even though I do like brussel sprouts, I too appreciated the imagery here! I'm so thankful for finding this community. God brings us to the people and places we need in our lives to draw us closer to Him. I have been believing God for the restoration of my marriage and although I've been eating from a plate of brussel sprouts for a while, I know the ice cream is yet to come!
Adam and Eve had everything, let me repeat that "everything" in the Garden of Eden, including an intimate relationship with God. No Worries, no stresses, plenty of food and by God's design, because He chose not to make little robots but instead beings in His own image, they had Free Will. God already had seen the revolt of His archangel Lucifer and a slew of angel rebels. God knew He had cast Lucifer to earth. God knew the chances and frankly He knew the outcome and yet still He created humans in His own image including Free Will. WHY? Because God wants us to CHOOSE HIM Freely…He knew we would have to leave the garden, suffer in childbirth, curse the weeds, experience the consequences of our choices to really grasp the fact that in our heart of hearts we have the distinct understanding that we were not created for this MESS, we were created to LIVE in the GARDEN.
And the only way there cost God His Own Son, but He says We are Worth even that. So we eat the Brussels sprouts knowing He has dessert prepared for us.
Amen and Amen. I love dessert! What a great devo and interpretation….thank you for sharing!
"We were not created for this mess; we were created to LIVE in the Garden."
So beautifully put……but isn't it nice to know, that like dessert, we have an eternal 'garden' to look forward too? Oh what a beautiful thought
As I read your post I couldn't help but wonder about Lucifer and the choices he he also made. He was in heaven with God, but that wasn't
sufficient for him. He wanted to be God. We know that the serpent deceived Eve. Who mislead Lucifer? Just wondering.
I love this, Carolynmimi. I cannot wait to stroll in the garden, in the cool breeze, and have relationship with the Holy of all Holy.
Thank you Jesus, for allowing the way!
Good morning all! I'm so thankful we have a God who believes in second (& third, fourth, fifth, sixth…) chances.
The ultimate gift…..given to us – FOR us – even in our sin, He loves us THAT much. How can we do anything else but praise Him with every cell of our being? How can we not spend every moment of this life He has given us being that sweet aroma that magnifies His Holy spirit? Help us Lord as we journey through this day – whisper our names and let us follow Your lead Lord…..thank you for saving us Almighty Savior.
Today’s passage is so sweet after two days of reflecting on the Fall, and our need of a Rescuer! I love Paul’s logic in dealing with the issue of resurrection, “if it doesn’t exist for us, than Jesus wasn’t raised and our faith is futile!” Indeed, Christ’s resurrection is one of the very things that sets Jesus Followers apart from the false religions of this world! If Christ was still dead than we would have no hope… But He’s NOT! Thank you God, for sending another Adam, the best Adam, to undo what Adam and I by nature have also done. Thank you that this was never Plan B, my heart is filled with thankfulness…
Yes! "Thank you that this was never Plan B"… I love it! God knows full well who we are and what the afflictions of our hearts are (1 Kings 8:38-40), as well as every sin we were (are) going to commit. Lord, great is your faithfulness! You are not surprised by us and you always had it under control!
Amen! I never thought of Christ as a second Adam! Wow!
Have you ever been just so glad to know God? I mean really unlike the authors of a New York Times best seller, God tells you the cold hard truth right up front, "You're linked to this guy name Adam, and because of this — anything he does — gets credited to you as if you have done it. He sins–all have sinned". We don't have to wait until the end to find out this gory detail. Instead we get to read the rest of His words gasping along the way at how much He loves us, and that He's worked out a remedy for this dead life we are living.
There is so much to know about our heavenly Father, so much reverences that he deserves for being willing to send His son to abolish His last enemy DEATH. This is one of those moments, "I've read this a bunch of times and never caught that death was an enemy". But this is one enemy that Christ has battled for us. The victory is His (in the cross) and Christ will raise us from our sinful dead bodies if we only yet confess and believe in Him. Amen
God has always finished everything he has started, and he will continue to do so!
Catherine, I will be praying for you today, that you would have peace AND joy that only He can give!!! Thank you for your sweet sharing. I can SO relate. May we only turn to Him today and His Truth!
Thanks Haley…..left another comment above, but I almost didn't share but decided to because in my desperation, I felt so isolated…but that is what the enemy wants. God Bless you! And God bless our community here as we help lift one another up and encourage each other
We live in a fallen world and Jesus came to save us from it. I have thought a lot about Eve in the past and have really placed my judgement on her…how could she do such a thing??? But then I think about what life has dished out to me in the last four months (sickness, sorrow, relationship trouble, disappointments, hurts, anger, stressful situations regarding responsibilities, exhaustion) events that have led me to a complete meltdown, I realize it is at that time I most identify with Eve and I want to take matters into my own hands. I want to feel like I am in control over making these things different. I look toward the heaven and scream with a face full of tears asking God "WHY" and "how much more are you going to pile on me, here?" Jesus came to give life and to give it abundantly and I ask "where is my abundant life?". But it's in that moment I realize that sometimes He gives me more than I can handle so that I can only turn to Him. The weight of life can crush you and will crush you without Jesus. If you ever feel this way, let me share with you what I chose instead of being like Eve, I hope it will bless you. It may not be complete or the best there is, but it brought me back to where I humbly walk with my God. I am trying to keep things in perspective and I try to reason with what I know…that God is in control, that everything works for my good, that He is my deliverer, He is my provider, even a provider of fortitude to endure the calamity du jour. I will keep focusing on Jesus. I will be anxious for nothing today but instead make my requests known to God with petitioning Him through prayer, and thanking Him for my deliverance and provision that is to come, I will receive His peace as I move about my business today and I will choose to dwell on praiseworthy things (Philippians 4:6-8). I am His child, He loves me, he provides for my every need. he is constant, never changing, always faithful, right on time. Heavenly Father, please give me the grace to trust everything I know to be true about you today, please keep my eyes and my thoughts from the distracting lies for the evil one and also off of my circumstances. I need your peace today and I release the tension, sadness, self pity, and self paralysis and I receive your peace, your strength and your blessings and I now am going to move forward with my day. This is the day that you have made Lord, I will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24. Praise you God from whom all blessings flow! I ask these things in the name of Jesus, Amen
Catherine- I so relate to what you wrote. I keep asking God, "how long do I need to wait to hear your guidance?" He's preparing me for something, but right now, I'm in that dark valley. Is he testing my faith? Scrubbing me of what sin may lurk in my heart? I don't know, but today I trust that he will show me the path he has in store for me. In the meantime, I will wait upon the Lord.
Amen
Catherine, thank you so much for sharing. I was going through almost this exact same thing right yesterday and the days past; recently i've just felt very alone, constricted, fearful and bitter, but the Lord saved me from it last night by basically putting me in a group of people who love Him.
It's good to know you're not alone! while I also related to Tricia and how she feels like God is being silent with guidance, God gave me that, too. While I know there is still much to be done, God has consistently showed me his powerful, loving faithfulness and truth! I pray that He would for you, Tricia, and every other sister who needs it today as well. Hallelujah! Amen.
I completely understand. This verse gives me so much encouragement, and I pray it for you as well.
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13)
Hope, though difficult, is the answer. Hope in Him and His power working in us.
Thanks ladies! for your comments. I almost deleted all of that before posting. I think the enemy wants us to feel that we are alone in our desperation, he wants to keep us isolated and think that everyone else gets to enjoy the blessed life. He spreads his lies and keeps our focus turned away from our Savior. Focusing on the Word and constant prayer as I go about my day brings such peace. It's a good thing!
May God Bless you all, too!!!
The Psalms are full of the poets of old crying out "How long, Oh Lord, how long?" I think there's a reason for that – to encourage us when we begin to feel the same way. God has equipped us with every comfort we need in the scriptures, and I pray He points out exactly the words you need to see in your quiet times!
This is beautiful Cath. It helped me merely by reading this. Thank you for sharing. His WORD will always and always still us and comfort us. What an awesome God we have here. Thank You Abba for JESUS.
Catherine-thank you. You have given me hope. I have been struggling with my faith and questioning "Why God? " I will pray for us all.
What a glorious truth! The second Adam – the last Adam the world would ever need – undid the damage the first Adam did. And that is incredibly good news! Praise Him!
HalleluYah! Thank you, Father, for the ultimate good news. We are not worthy, but in Christ we live!
Good morning sisters:) this word is so encouraging today. The lord did not leave us in our sinful dead ways. We are in need of a Savior who is spotless. I thank God for breathing His perfect life back into these dry bones. That’s. Orginal what dry bones are. They are dead as we were dead in sin desperate to be alive again. I want to share my testimony today because if it was not for the Grace and Mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ I would be dead. In march 2009 I started to bleed really bad(as the women with the issue of blood in mark I’m not sure where she bled from though). I bled for six months straight. It got so bad I literally was running one empty. Before going to the hospital the lord spoke to me that I would need an emergency blood transfusion(I did not know the voice of the Lord then I’m still learning it today). Originally I was not going to go because doctors before said I was fine. Had I not went to the hospital that day I would have died of a heart attack or stroke because I was on empty(no blood to give me oxygen for my heart). In october 2009 I received 3bags of blood.(the doctor that helped me was name dr. Sunshine lol funny right?I remember His name clearly though) We know that Life is in the Blood and I’m so grateful that the Lord has kept me those six months while I was dead and literally dying. Today I praise God because I’m able to celebrate my 29th birthday and I have to glorify God. had it not been for Him I would of been dead at 24 years old. We serve such a BIG GOD who knows the outcome of all our problems. I pray someone will be encoraged and know that Our God,my God is able to bring back life in us. And he did so by granting us the most precious Gift Jesus CHrist:) I love you all and thank you for allowing me to share:)
Thank you sister for sharing your testimony! Our God speaks, delivers, makes mountains, moves mountains, makes miracles, saves, heals, makes the way, and makes all things new!
amen sis he sure does:)
Monique, thank you for sharing your story!
amen sis:)
Physically and spiritually Blood carries the oxygen needed to live. Thank you for sharing.
Yes amen a true fact indeed:)
I thank and praise God for you. Thanks for sharing.
amen sis be encouraged:)
Monique, I have missed seeing you on here……I spoke about you the other day……all good, I promise…
I, for one thank God that He breathes life into dry bones, into us, that we may speak of His love and greatness to others….you have just done that….and I am glad you are here by His Grace, His love His faithfulness….
Paul, usually begins his letters….. I thank God….and I do toooooo!!!
Blessings! X
hi tina:) missed you too..i was reading along but didn't really have a chance to comment…God is truly doing a work in me and im so grateful that I have a testimony to share and someone can be encouraged. i love you sis and please stay encouraged in the Lord:)
God gave us the ultimate GOOD NEWS. The GOOD NEWS that cancels out any bad news….He gave us Christ. And In Him we are made alive. Now and forever….
Praise God….and thank you Lord God, for the Good News that is our Savior Jesus Christ, who came to die for our sins…. hard to believe, but none the less Truth, Truth that I so truly believe, have faith in, take strength from and have hope in….Thank you Lord God , for the gift of resurrection, which is afforded us through Jesus Christ and His sacrifice and subsequent raising from the dead,. Thank you Lord God, that no matter how "dead" we feel , we have Christ in whom we are made alive…..Bless you Lord God, Bless you, and thank you. AMEN.
Remembering you all today sister, in prayers, be blessed….x
Hallelujah our God reigns,, forever all my days, hallelujah. X x
Love this – "no matter how dead we feel, we have Christ in Whom we are made alive" Awesome! So thankful!