"Thus it is written, 'The first man Adam became a living being'; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit."
If you slow down and really attempt to understand this verse, it is mind blowing! God created Adam. He breathed into him the breath of life. And Adam became a living soul. Some time later, God (in the person of Jesus) took on flesh, the very thing that He Himself had breathed life into so long ago. His motivation for doing this was to give life to those who had squandered it. And the giving of life would come at a high cost. Through His death, Jesus gives life.
I am like the first Adam, a living soul. God has given me life, and I have often turned away from Him in sin. But I will be like the second Adam. Jesus has already given me spiritual life and will complete it in His time by also giving me a spiritual body. “If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body” (44b).
Showing posts with label redemption. Show all posts
Showing posts with label redemption. Show all posts
Monday, November 9, 2009
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
1 Corinthians 7:20-24
"Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. Were you a slave when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) For he who was called in the Lord as a slave is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a slave of Christ. You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God."
The previous verses showed that God is not concerned about your earthly citizenship (that is, it doesn’t earn you any favor with him). You are under no directive to change after you become a Christian.
These verses here indicate that in addition to citizenship, a person’s socio-economic status earns him no favor with God, and they indicate that the Christian is not under divine directive to climb the economic ladder as if it were some sort of moral imperative. If you are a Christian born-again in poverty or even in slavery (which is a horrible state), don’t let you economic condition concern you. If you are able to improve your condition, that’s fine. But it shouldn’t consume you. You are free in Christ (freed from slaver to sin) and are in a position of great privilege in Him (beneficiary of all spiritual blessings in Christ).
For those born in freedom and privilege, do not get a big head about it. You are Christ’s purchased possession. He purchased you with His self-sacrificing death on the cross. Does this mean that the high-born should become an earthly slave? No, quite the opposite. The fact that you belong to Christ, should keep you from selling yourself to another.
Whatever nationality or socio-economic class you may be in, you can walk with God. God will not accept you any more or less if you are rich or poor, American or Pakistani. Your relationship to Him is what matters, not your class or citizenship. When you become a Christian, you will be a new person. But the newness deals with your nature, desires, and purposes. It doesn’t necessarily give you a new earthly place.
The previous verses showed that God is not concerned about your earthly citizenship (that is, it doesn’t earn you any favor with him). You are under no directive to change after you become a Christian.
These verses here indicate that in addition to citizenship, a person’s socio-economic status earns him no favor with God, and they indicate that the Christian is not under divine directive to climb the economic ladder as if it were some sort of moral imperative. If you are a Christian born-again in poverty or even in slavery (which is a horrible state), don’t let you economic condition concern you. If you are able to improve your condition, that’s fine. But it shouldn’t consume you. You are free in Christ (freed from slaver to sin) and are in a position of great privilege in Him (beneficiary of all spiritual blessings in Christ).
For those born in freedom and privilege, do not get a big head about it. You are Christ’s purchased possession. He purchased you with His self-sacrificing death on the cross. Does this mean that the high-born should become an earthly slave? No, quite the opposite. The fact that you belong to Christ, should keep you from selling yourself to another.
Whatever nationality or socio-economic class you may be in, you can walk with God. God will not accept you any more or less if you are rich or poor, American or Pakistani. Your relationship to Him is what matters, not your class or citizenship. When you become a Christian, you will be a new person. But the newness deals with your nature, desires, and purposes. It doesn’t necessarily give you a new earthly place.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
1 Corinthians 7:14-16
"For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace. For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?"
In what sense is an unbelieving spouse "made holy" because of a believing spouse. Perhaps being made holy refers to positive influences that the believer can have on the unbeliever. That would explain why the children are also holy. If they were left to the unbeliever alone, they would surely follow after the unbelievers ways. But if a believing spouse can positively influence the unbelieving spouse, the children will also be kept from much uncleanness.
But the verses seem to go beyond mere external restraint and reach to the heart of the unbeliever. The testimony of the believer may so move the unbeliever that (s)he trusts Christ herself. Verse sixteen indicates that this is a real possibility that ought to be hoped for. And it is this possibility that motivates believers to stay with their unbelieving spouses.
Because of verse sixteen, the second explanation seems more likely to me. In addition to this, the eventual/possible salvation of the unbelieving spouse also explains the spouse being "made holy." Salvation or more specifically justification does not equal being "made holy." But salvation results in one being made holy. And all that was said about the positive influence would be true, in a deeper sense, of one who has come to know Christ.
In what sense is an unbelieving spouse "made holy" because of a believing spouse. Perhaps being made holy refers to positive influences that the believer can have on the unbeliever. That would explain why the children are also holy. If they were left to the unbeliever alone, they would surely follow after the unbelievers ways. But if a believing spouse can positively influence the unbelieving spouse, the children will also be kept from much uncleanness.
But the verses seem to go beyond mere external restraint and reach to the heart of the unbeliever. The testimony of the believer may so move the unbeliever that (s)he trusts Christ herself. Verse sixteen indicates that this is a real possibility that ought to be hoped for. And it is this possibility that motivates believers to stay with their unbelieving spouses.
Because of verse sixteen, the second explanation seems more likely to me. In addition to this, the eventual/possible salvation of the unbelieving spouse also explains the spouse being "made holy." Salvation or more specifically justification does not equal being "made holy." But salvation results in one being made holy. And all that was said about the positive influence would be true, in a deeper sense, of one who has come to know Christ.
Monday, May 7, 2007
1 Peter 4:6
“For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.”
The gospel changes lives. It is preached to spiritually dead people who are engaging in all forms of shameful lifestyles, and it changes them. It takes you the way you are and transforms you that you “might live in the spirit,” The gospel takes the fleshly and makes them into spiritual people whose character reflects God’s character.
The gospel changes lives. It is preached to spiritually dead people who are engaging in all forms of shameful lifestyles, and it changes them. It takes you the way you are and transforms you that you “might live in the spirit,” The gospel takes the fleshly and makes them into spiritual people whose character reflects God’s character.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
1 Peter 2:16-17
"Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor."
Some people consider freedom to be the ability to do whatever they want to do. But this is false. I am free, free to do what is right. I am not a slave to sin. I have been purchased out of spiritual slavery. I am free, and I must live like it. To live without restraint is to use freedom as a cover-up for slavery to sin.
I am free to serve God. Among other things, I can serve him by honoring everyone, showing special love for fellow Christians, respecting Him, and respecting the authorities that He has placed over me.
Some people consider freedom to be the ability to do whatever they want to do. But this is false. I am free, free to do what is right. I am not a slave to sin. I have been purchased out of spiritual slavery. I am free, and I must live like it. To live without restraint is to use freedom as a cover-up for slavery to sin.
I am free to serve God. Among other things, I can serve him by honoring everyone, showing special love for fellow Christians, respecting Him, and respecting the authorities that He has placed over me.
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
James 1:18
"Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures."
It's wonderful how time and prayer can help you understand something that was puzzling you you before. Last time I looked at this passage, I couldn't figure out it's relationship to the previous verses. But now it seems so obvious. Verses sixteen and seventeen state that God gives good gifts faithfully and that He was not going to stop doing this because He doesn't ever change.
This verse seems to be an example of something good He has done. "He brought us forth." Does this refer to His creative or regenerative act? Is it corporate or personal? I'm not sure if it's referring to one in particular. Certainly God did it all. He, by His word and according to His will, gave all life and redeems His chosen. But more personally, He gives me life day-by-day, and He has bought me back from the slave market of sin. This was done by His word, and it was His generous, loving, and good will. The second half of the verse seems to indicate that the focus is more on redemption than creation.
It's wonderful how time and prayer can help you understand something that was puzzling you you before. Last time I looked at this passage, I couldn't figure out it's relationship to the previous verses. But now it seems so obvious. Verses sixteen and seventeen state that God gives good gifts faithfully and that He was not going to stop doing this because He doesn't ever change.
This verse seems to be an example of something good He has done. "He brought us forth." Does this refer to His creative or regenerative act? Is it corporate or personal? I'm not sure if it's referring to one in particular. Certainly God did it all. He, by His word and according to His will, gave all life and redeems His chosen. But more personally, He gives me life day-by-day, and He has bought me back from the slave market of sin. This was done by His word, and it was His generous, loving, and good will. The second half of the verse seems to indicate that the focus is more on redemption than creation.
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