Christ is our Lord and Savior and He is also God’s pattern for us. He is the Pattern Son! I Corinthians 15:47-49 says,“The first man (Adam) was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man (Jesus) is the Lord from heaven.” Paul uses the term “the first man” and “the second Man” denoting a significant difference. The first man is earthly, made of dust; the second Man is not of the earth, but from heaven. He is superior to the first man because of His nature and origin. He is God’s only Son! The Father’s Purpose in bringing the Son is revealed in the next verse. “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.” Paul shows us in this passage that those who have not accepted Jesus have Adam as their only hope. Adam failed! Therefore, no matter what “success” one achieves in this life, it has failure built into it because it is based on one who failed to meet God’s standard! Jesus, on the other hand, greatly succeeded and has become both Lord and Christ. He is the Head of the new creation. A creation that enjoys His Life and His victory! Therefore, as He is, so are we in this world.
In verse 49, the Apostle says, “And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.” Paul speaks in a manner that gives us absolute assurance that Christ Jesus has changed us eternally by His death, resurrection, and ascension! He says with the same certainty that as we have borne Adam’s likeness, we shall also bear the likeness of the heavenly Man. By Christ’s sacrifice, we have received His nature. I John 3:2 says, “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” May that incredible promise be an encouragement to you today!
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My first thought after I read this blog was "We Shall Be Like Him?" I thought, "We are suppose to be like Him now." Pastor put it all into perspective at the Ladies Discipleship Class. He said, "We will be like Him physically." However, I re-read the post again this morning and I am getting a whole new level of illumination. Actually, in the very first sentence, "Christ is our Lord and Savior and He is also God's pattern for us." For me! Yes, For me. I knew this before, but yet for some reason I believe I am suppose to take heed. Christ wants me to get it through my skull and into my heart and soul. I have always believed and will say in a heartbeat how God will use a person to bless me, and I would get excited because I would be sooo thankful that the person took heed to God. I believe it is because of my past church experiences, God is dealing with me about it seriously and I must let it go. I love and I am so thankful for people who let go and allow God to use them. For one, it allows me to maintain freedom in Christ Jesus, and sometimes It makes me aware of something I need to repent about that I may not have been aware of. However, God has dealt with me about that and I understand more clearly now. It is all about Christ and He is God's pattern for my life, period. All the praises and glory belong to Him. This post has also given me an opportunity to explain the gospel, better. A 6th grader asked me yesterday, "When a person get baptised, are they going to heaven?" I politely told her no, however, if the person has accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior and that person get baptised then yes of course they will be in heaven. I also, explained about the two men on the cross, one of them didn't come down to be baptised to enter into heaven. I also told her it is symbolic of removing the old and receiving, putting on the new, etc. Now I can also share with someone that is being drawn to receive Jesus Christ into their life, I can share how Adam failed, and that without Jesus they only have Adam as their only hope. This incredible promise of Christ certainly is an encouragement to me today!
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