We Shall Be Like Him [1 Corinthians 15:45-49]

45So also it is written, "The first MAN, Adam, BECAME A LIVING SOUL " The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

46However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual. 47The first man is from the earth, earthy; the second man is from heaven. 48As is the earthy, so also are those who are earthy; and as is the heavenly, so also are those who are heavenly.

 49Just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image of the heavenly.

 

Have you ever wondered what our bodies will be like when we are resurrected from the dead?  This passage answers that question. According to verses 38-42 we won't be like a star or an animal.  Verse 49 sums it up, "Just as we have borne the image of the earthy" (the first man, Adam, with a living soul), "we will also bear the image of the heavenly" (the last Adam (Christ) who became a life-giving spirit).

 

Why is this important to know?  It explains the completeness of the gospel of grace - Christ died, was buried and rose again.  In Him we die, are buried and are raised up.  And so, we shall ALWAYS be with the Lord.  And when we see Him, we shall be like Him, completely.  that will be the full redemption - our life completely reflecting His life. We will bear the image of the heavenly - our bodies will be like His resurrected body, "raised in incorruption, raise in glory, raised in power, raised a spiritual body" (15:42-44).


What a hope.  I wonder what my everyday life would look like if I fully grasped the meaning of these verses? In tomorrow's verses we will learn more about why understanding the resurrection of the dead is important in how we live today.


Verna McCrillis, 12/16/2008