MADE ALIVE IN CHRIST

1 Corinthians 15:20-25

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. But each in turn: Christ, the fistfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 1 Corinthians 15:20-25

All that are by faith united to Christ, are by His resurrection assured of their own. As through the sin of the first Adam, all men became mortal, because all had from Him the same sinful nature, so, through the resurrection of Christ, shall all who are made to partake of the Spirit, and the spiritual nature, revive, and live forever. There will be an order in the resurrection. Christ Himself has been the firstfruits. At His coming, His redeemed people will be raised at the last, and the wicked will rise also. Then will be the end of this present state of things.

Would we triumph in that solemn and important season, we must now submit to His rule, accept His salvation, and live to His glory. Then shall we rejoice in the completion of His undertaking, that God may receive the whole glory of our salvation, that we may forever serve Him, and enjoy His favor. The first Adam sinned, and we discover that death came into the world by sin. Spiritual death descended on humankind the moment Adam sinned, triggering a slow and sad deterioration towards physical death of everyone.

Every man born of woman and every woman born of man's seed, is dead in trespasses and sins, for the entire human race is positioned in Adam, rendering all humankind as sinners in need of a Savior. Adam was the head of the human race, and through him sin was imputed to all people, but God in His grace sent a second Man, the last Adam, the Son of the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, into the world. He came to identify with His fallen creation so that by His substitutionary death and glorious resurrection, He was able to overcome the shocking damage caused by Adam's sin and was enabled to conquer man's greatest enemy - death. He died and rose again to become the head of every person ever born.

You become a new creation in Christ. Only a man without spot and blemish would be qualified to reverse the ravages of sin and its deadly consequences. Adam's action has imputed a sin nature on all who were born in Adam including you and me, whereas the righteousness of God is imputed to all who are born again in Christ. And today we can still see lives of countless men, women, and children being changed. This cannot happen if Christ is still dead. Only a Risen Christ could have such transforming power in a person's life!!!

Father, thank You for this day and for the amazing privilege of being in Christ. Lord, pour out Your abundant blessings upon my friends and family today. Lord, thank You that we have been taken out of Adam and placed in Christ. Lord, thank You that in Christ we have been made alive and received His eternal life in the Person of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Lord, may we learn to live as You intended us to live, in total dependence upon You so that Your lite may be seen in us. to Your praise and glory. Lord, use us to be Your living epistle in word and deed to all today.

Father, we love You. Amen.