Saturday, 11 April 2015
As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. 1 Corinthians 15:48
Paul has just made statements of fact concerning the state of man in regards to Adam and in regards to the Lord. In verse 46 he said, “…the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual.” Then in verse 47 he noted that, “The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven.” Verse 48 now further explains verse 47. Verse 46 will be further explained in verse 49.
Adam was of the earth, made of dust. Logically then it follows that, “As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust.” All who are “in Adam” are like Adam. Everything follows after its own kind. Pumpkins don’t come from whales nor do papayas come from mangos. As Adam is earthly, it naturally follows that all who issue from him will be earthly as well.
Likewise, we can take it as an axiom that just “as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly.” Christ is “the heavenly Man,” and therefore all who are of Christ are also of the “heavenly.”
Paul states this as a fact based on verse 47. In the next verse, he will show what that means to those who are “in Christ.”
Life application: If you are in Christ, you are in Christ. Nothing can change this. He cannot deny Himself. If you falter in your walk with Him, you may lose rewards, but your salvation is not in question. Be confident that God’s eternal grace and mercy in Christ are greater than your temporary failings.
Lord, Your word says that when my sin was transferred to the cross of Christ, it included all of my sin. An exchange was made which changed me from an earthly position to a heavenly one. I cannot tell You how grateful I am for this. As I walk along this current path, I stumble and fall often, but I have the complete confidence that I am saved, once and for all through the work of Another; through the work of Jesus. Thank You for the assurance I have. I need it often as I know I fail You often. Amen.