by leaps and bounds

And so it is written, The first Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit (I Corinthians 15:45).

The first Adam and the last Adam are mentioned together in this verse. The first Adam is described as a living soul. The second Adam- Jesus- is described as a quickening spirit.

As we know, the first Adam failed to obey God. His failure brought condemnation because of sin, death and judgment into the world.

Jesus- on the other hand- obeyed God completely. His obedience led to death on the cross and brought good things to mankind- making it possible for the negative things to be reversed. The following verses show us the contrast between the first Adam and the second Adam- Jesus Christ:

But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ (Romans 5:15-18).

The first Adam’s sin brought condemnation, judgment and death into the world- specifically to mankind. One offense brought utter chaos. Jesus shouldered all the offenses (sins) of the whole world so that order could be brought to the lives of all who would accept the free gift of salvation. Jesus was- and is- the quickening spirit that resurrected our hope and brought to each of us the opportunity to experience eternal life.

The full picture of God’s grace was brought into focus through Jesus Christ. John 1:14 says, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” Our Savior proved to us that God really does love us and wants us to make it.

We may ask the question, “If Adam failed, how are we going to succeed?” The answer is just as Jesus died to provide forgiveness of sins, He lives to help us live a life of obedience to God. In fact, Jesus is everything we need to be successful. I Corinthians 1:30 says this plainly: “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God- and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.”

Aren’t you glad Jesus came to restore everything that was lost and destroyed through Adam’s disobedience? All we have to do is give our lives to Him and trust Him. He will give us all the help we need.

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Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.