“The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.” 1 Corinthians 15:47-49 (KJV)
Consider the Apostle’s point. “The first man” was made from the dust of this earth, but “the second man” came from heaven. Those whose desires are earth-related follow the first man and are earth-bound. On the other hand, those whose desires are heaven-related will follow the second man and are heaven bound.
All of us are Adam’s descendants. We have all had the earthy focus, but by the grace of God we are not continuing in that direction. Those who trust the work of God on Calvary have been redeemed and are adopted by “the Lord from heaven.”
Just as we once walked in the image of “the earthy” Adam, so now we are being formed into “the image of the heavenly,” our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
The great Apostle of the Gentiles is showing us the choices. Choose the earthly or choose the heavenly. Be encouraged today and choose the heavenly. You can be better than you are. It isn’t our doing though, it’s Christ’s! Clement of Alexandria said it well, “We are wonderful, breathing instruments of music, formed by God in his own image.”
Dear Father, thank you for your redeeming, adoptive grace. Empower us to live heaven-focused lives. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today in your journey toward the image of the heavenly,