Scripture to Read: 1 Corinthians 15:45–49
God had Paul go all the way back to the first man, Adam, to help the believers in Corinth (and us today) to understand the difference between the natural and the spiritual. We read in 1 Corinthians 15:45–49, “So also it is written, “The first man, Adam, became a living soul.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual. 47 The first man is from the earth, earthy; the second man is from heaven. 48 As is the earthy, so also are those who are earthy; and as is the heavenly, so also are those who are heavenly. 49 Just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image of the heavenly.” First, God had Paul explain the difference between Adam and our Lord Jesus Christ. Adam was the first man created by God. Adam was given life by God but was one individual. Through his sin, he brought death to all mankind. But Christ is the last Adam, and He came to give life back to mankind. Christ is the only One who can restore our dead spirits to life when we surrender to Him as Lord and Savior. We currently bear the image of the earth for we are mere creatures of dust, but one day, we will bear the image of Christ and have a glorified resurrected body like His. We have so much to look forward to, but until that day, we must live wholeheartedly for Him in this current shell we indwell.
Challenge & Application
Why is it important to know the difference between the natural and the spiritual?
How are you making sure that the natural side of you is submitting to the Lord and His Word each day?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!