1 Corinthians 15:46–49 (ESV) — 46 But it is not the spiritual that is first but the
natural, and then the spiritual. 47 The first man was
from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as
is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. 49 Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear
the image of the man of heaven.
NOTE: Paul argues
that the natural precedes the spiritual. I don't know if he meant that as a
principle or if he meant it as a truth in this case. If it is a principle, then
all spiritual beings would first be natural. In this case he applies it
directly to Adam, made of dust, and natural. The second man is Jesus, raised
from the dead, and spiritual. We bear Adam's image now, sinners. We will bear
Jesus' image soon, creature holiness. We won't struggle with issues of sin. We
will not desire sin. We will desire what is good only. Why does the natural
have to precede the spiritual? I don't know. But God has directed it in that
order.
PRAYER: Thank you
for the promise of a spiritual existence in a new body made possible because of
Jesus' obedience and his death on the cross for me. Adam failed despite all the
advantages he had. But we will have advantages in our spiritual body that Adam
never knew. Lord, I don't understand it all, but I believe. I look forward to
my new body and to the millennial kingdom.
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