And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven. (1 Corinthians 15:45-47)
In 1 Corinthians 15:45-47, the first Adam is easily recognizable, even to people who don’t regularly go to church or read their Bibles. This Adam is the first man, the person in Genesis that was assigned to dress the Garden of Eden and keep it.
Because of the first Adam’s sin, we were all originally doomed to spend eternity in hell. Adam’s sin passed to everyone who would be born of the union of a man and a woman. The man’s seed carried with it the curse of sin.
The good news is that another Adam came, and He gave us the opportunity to begin again. Scripture calls Jesus the second Adam. He fulfilled everything the first Adam could not.
The first Adam was tempted and failed, but the last Adam was temped and overcame.
The first Adam put sin and death upon all humanity, the last Adam brought the spirit of life and life more abundantly to give to all who would come after Him.
Jesus, as the second Adam, purchased (redeemed) us from the enemy to live the life that God intended us to live.
Practical Application
- When you doubt the blessings are coming, remind yourself that Jesus unlocked the blessings that Adam revoked. Tell yourself: “Jesus unlocked Heaven’s blessings for me. I have accepted Him, so His benefits flow through me.”