Adam vs. Christ

I love the contrast between Adam and Christ in Romans 5:12-19 and 1 Cor. 15:45-49. Adam is the first Adam whereas Christ is the last Adam. Adam was made a living soul whereas Christ was made a quickening spirit. Adam was the First Man, earthly, whereas Christ was the Second Man, heavenly. Sin entered the world by one man’s disobedience whereas the righteousness of God is now extended to the world because of Christ’s obedience. In Adam all become dead in sins whereas in Christ all become alive unto God. In Adam we have death whereas in Christ we have eternal life. In Adam, we bear the image of the earthy whereas in Christ we bear the image of the heavenly. In Adam we have judgment whereas in Christ we have justification. In Adam sin reigns whereas in Christ His grace reigns. In Adam we become unrighteous whereas in Christ we become righteous. By one man’s disobedience all were made sinners whereas by Christ’s obedience all who place their faith in Him are made righteous. In Adam, the law entered so the offense might abound whereas in Christ, where sin abounded, His grace did much more abound! In Adam, sin has reigned unto death whereas in Christ, His grace reigns unto eternal life! Halleluiah!

In a wonderful booklet called “The Second Things of the Bible,” J.C. O’Hair made these fantastic comparisons between the first man and the Second Man. The first man is Adam and the Second Man is Christ. He writes, “The Second Man made the first man. But the Second Man was the seed of the first man. Satan gained the power of death by separating the first man from God. He lost the power of death when the Second Man was separated from God on the cross, and then arose from the dead.” Later, he writes, “Because the first man partook of the tree; the Second Man died on the tree. Because the first man tasted of the fruit of the tree; the Second Man tasted death for every man on the tree. Because the first man was disobedient unto death; the Second Man was obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Because the first man hid in the garden from God; the Second Man was hid from God on the cross. Because the first man brought the thorns; the Second Man wore the thorns. Because the first man was driven from the garden; the Second Man went into the garden. Because the first man brought the curse; the Second Man bore the curse.”

[This is an excerpt from Joel’s book “Empowered by His Grace” which can be purchased here or download a free pdf copy here or here.]