Craig Clouston

 

Second-Man Likeness

February 12

…so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven.

1Corinthians 15:49

Larry and John were lamenting the argument of the ages; both with strong opinions; neither giving ground.

“Eve caused Adam to sin, and, consequently, the entire human race,” Larry espoused.

“No, Eve did not cause Adam to sin,” John asserted. “Adam could have resisted and said ‘No! It’s wrong!’ but instead he gave in to temptation without much forethought or resistance.” he countered.

Larry didn’t like Adam taking the blame; as a man it left a bad taste in his mouth. “I still say Eve took advantage of Adam, offering him the apple and seductively enticing him. I can hear her now, ‘Take a bite, Honey…it’s sooo good! Surely God won’t kill us!’” Larry’s words were venomous and heart-felt. “Adam never had a chance!”

“You know, Larry,” John said, holding up his hand, motioning for a truce. “No matter who’s to blame, all that matters is that because of what happened that day, we needed a Redeemer, Someone Who could make us right with God. Thank You Jesus! If not for Him we are lost forever.”

“Amen to that.” They’d finally found common ground.

†

If Adam was the first father of the human race; hence the first man, we needed Another, who could say NO! to temptation; a Redeemer of mankind; the Second Man.

While destined to reign over the earth, Adam fell into sin, and caused us to forever need a replacement for the pattern God intended. Adam’s sin, resulting in our sinful nature, is the likeness we are born with. We take on Adam’s likeness under the influence of temptation, living out of our sin instead of in the Spirit.

For us to enter heaven we needed a Second Man to Father our race. So God sent Jesus. Who, in the flesh, was able to live a life complete and sinless by living in the Spirit at all times. It is this likeness, that of the Second Man, that must shine through our sin. And the only way to ensure this outcome is to accept Him as our Lord and Savior.

Prayer

“Lord Jesus, I want to exchange my sinful likeness for Yours, the likeness from heaven. Please, forgive my sins, and come into my heart. Amen.”