Read 1 Corinthians 15:45
You can be sure that when God decides to do something, nothing can stop Him. “I know that You can do all things and that no plan of Yours can be thwarted." Job 42:2
God commanded Adam and Eve to subdue the earth: "God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth.”" Genesis 1:28
Mankind has fulfilled the first part of God's purpose. However, we do not see mankind ruling as God intended. There is a continual battle with nature - insects, rats, mice, and all kinds of wild animals are at war with humanity. Behind all this and all the evils of the earth is the "Serpent of Old", the devil who deceives the whole world. As we saw before, God intended man to subdue Satan. Satan turned the tables.
God was not surprised. He knew what man would do. He already had the answer. God Himself would put on human form and come to do what Adam failed to do.
God's restoration plan was perfect because it did not require the help of fallen man. Isaiah 59:16: "He saw that there was no man; He was amazed that there was no one to intercede. So His own arm brought salvation, and His own righteousness sustained Him."
God's plan was to live the perfect life, as Man, that Adam was supposed to live. Jesus came and "emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross." Philippians 2: 7 & 8.
Jesus lived the perfect life that pleased God in every way. Jesus said what He heard the Father saying and did what He saw the Father doing. (John 12:49 & John 5:19). How unlike independent man who does what is right in his own eyes. God is not interested in what we initiate. If it is good enough for Jesus to empty Himself, how much more should we be willing to do the same?
I once asked God why He did not simply leave Adam and Eve to die, or even wipe out the whole of humanity, including Noah and his family. I had to pester God for the answer and this is what He said.
"In a way, I did wipe out the whole of humanity and start again. The cross is like the flood, destroying all that is of fallen Adam. Jesus is the last Adam, because He did everything that the first Adam failed to do."
What did Jesus do that Adam failed to do? For a start, He refused to accept Satan's temptation in the wilderness. (Matthew 4:1-11). Satan tempted Jesus to act independently of God. Who would refuse food after 40 days of fasting? That's about the longest that humans can survive. Satan offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world. Jesus refused. After all, Jesus would be King over all those kingdom's in God's time and in God's way. Satan tried to get Jesus to parade His power and divinity to the world. Jesus refused.
So Jesus became the "last Adam" and "the second Man". Lord Jesus is the Head of a new race of people, commonly called Christians. We are not born into this race naturally. We are born of God, by His Spirit and we are unique. Even the angels are mystified by God's love, power and grace.
Brethren, rejoice and be glad, no matter your circumstances. If you are born again, God has set everything back in order. We get a fresh start, our history of sin is erased, we have new life and we are righteous before God. We do nothing to earn this and we in no way deserve it. It is entirely God's gift. All we have to do is accept this glorious gift.
Once we are born again, we are on a new path. It's not easy and there are many pitfalls. We will consider this in future posts. Remember, God's grace is sufficient. Always. Without exception.
You can be sure that when God decides to do something, nothing can stop Him. “I know that You can do all things and that no plan of Yours can be thwarted." Job 42:2
God commanded Adam and Eve to subdue the earth: "God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth.”" Genesis 1:28
Mankind has fulfilled the first part of God's purpose. However, we do not see mankind ruling as God intended. There is a continual battle with nature - insects, rats, mice, and all kinds of wild animals are at war with humanity. Behind all this and all the evils of the earth is the "Serpent of Old", the devil who deceives the whole world. As we saw before, God intended man to subdue Satan. Satan turned the tables.
God was not surprised. He knew what man would do. He already had the answer. God Himself would put on human form and come to do what Adam failed to do.
God's restoration plan was perfect because it did not require the help of fallen man. Isaiah 59:16: "He saw that there was no man; He was amazed that there was no one to intercede. So His own arm brought salvation, and His own righteousness sustained Him."
God's plan was to live the perfect life, as Man, that Adam was supposed to live. Jesus came and "emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross." Philippians 2: 7 & 8.
Jesus lived the perfect life that pleased God in every way. Jesus said what He heard the Father saying and did what He saw the Father doing. (John 12:49 & John 5:19). How unlike independent man who does what is right in his own eyes. God is not interested in what we initiate. If it is good enough for Jesus to empty Himself, how much more should we be willing to do the same?
I once asked God why He did not simply leave Adam and Eve to die, or even wipe out the whole of humanity, including Noah and his family. I had to pester God for the answer and this is what He said.
"In a way, I did wipe out the whole of humanity and start again. The cross is like the flood, destroying all that is of fallen Adam. Jesus is the last Adam, because He did everything that the first Adam failed to do."
What did Jesus do that Adam failed to do? For a start, He refused to accept Satan's temptation in the wilderness. (Matthew 4:1-11). Satan tempted Jesus to act independently of God. Who would refuse food after 40 days of fasting? That's about the longest that humans can survive. Satan offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world. Jesus refused. After all, Jesus would be King over all those kingdom's in God's time and in God's way. Satan tried to get Jesus to parade His power and divinity to the world. Jesus refused.
So Jesus became the "last Adam" and "the second Man". Lord Jesus is the Head of a new race of people, commonly called Christians. We are not born into this race naturally. We are born of God, by His Spirit and we are unique. Even the angels are mystified by God's love, power and grace.
Brethren, rejoice and be glad, no matter your circumstances. If you are born again, God has set everything back in order. We get a fresh start, our history of sin is erased, we have new life and we are righteous before God. We do nothing to earn this and we in no way deserve it. It is entirely God's gift. All we have to do is accept this glorious gift.
Once we are born again, we are on a new path. It's not easy and there are many pitfalls. We will consider this in future posts. Remember, God's grace is sufficient. Always. Without exception.
