“For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”
(1 Corinthians 15:22)
It was a dark and dreadful day when Satan, taking the form of a serpent, entered the Garden of Eden and deceived Eve into doubting the goodness of her Creator. Adam, following her lead, plunged all mankind into sin. In one fateful moment, they fell from a state of innocence to guilt, from divine fellowship to exile, and from the abundance of Eden to the desert of death.
“It is not merely stated here that all men die. We also do not read that they die in their fathers or grandfathers, but only that all die in Adam. To die ‘in someone’ means to be a partaker of the judgment resulting in the death and condemnation of this individual.”[1]
Yet, even in the midst of this indescribable tragedy, God spoke a word of hope—the promise of a Redeemer who would one day crush the serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15). That promise was fulfilled In Christ—the second Adam—who reversed the curse of death, causing all those in Him to be made alive.
The contrast between our state in Adam and our state in Christ is stark.
In Adam, we are sinners, guilty before a holy and just God with no place to hide. In Christ, we are justified by faith (Romans 5:1). Our guilt is absolved, and instead of the death we deserve, we are adorned with Christ’s perfect righteousness.
In Adam, we are at enmity with God, driven from His presence (Romans 8:7, Genesis 3:23-24) and hopelessly estranged from Him. In Christ, we are reconciled to God, brought near by His blood (2 Corinthians 5:18-20), adopted into His family, made co-heirs with the Son, and promised an eternal inheritance (John 1:12, Romans 8:14-17). Through His work on the cross, the hostility between God and His people was forever removed and peace was secured (Colossians 1:20).
In Adam, we are slaves to sin, bound to its power and incapable of choosing righteousness. In Christ, we are set free by the indwelling Spirit of God, empowered to walk in holiness (Romans 8:2, 1 John 4:4).
In Adam, we carried an unpayable debt of sin. In Christ, that debt has been fully canceled—nailed to the cross, never to be counted against us again (Colossians 2:13-14).
How can we not praise the name of our God, who has brought us from death to life through Christ? How can we not adore the Savior, who has redeemed us with His own blood?
“The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” (John 6:63)
Contemplations
- Seeing the Weight of Sin. Lord, all who are born in Adam inherit his guilt, and all who remain in Adam will perish. Do I understand the weight of sin and the justice of Your judgment? Do I truly grasp what I have been saved from? Give me a deeper sense of the horror of sin so that I may treasure the grace of Christ all the more.
- Grateful for Redemption. Father, one sin plunged all humanity into ruin. But in Christ, You have provided full redemption. In light of your unspeakable gift, I want to be truly thankful for the grace I have received. So stir my heart to constant gratitude and worship, for You have done what I could never do for myself.
- The Wonder of Election. Lord Jesus, the truth that You came to save me personally is beyond my comprehension. I know that not all are given to You by the Father, yet by grace, I am among Your people. Let me never grow cold to the wonder of being chosen by grace.
- Living as an Heir. You have made me Your child, Father. You adopted me into Your family through Christ. But do I consistently live in the assurance and joy of being Your heir? Teach me to walk in the full knowledge of my inheritance and to glorify You in all that I do.
- Praising the Worthy Redeemer. Lord, You are worthy of all praise for the work You have accomplished. Is my life marked by worship? Do I adore You with my whole heart, my words, and my deeds? Let my life be a continual offering of praise to the One who has brought me from death to life.
Prayer
O Sovereign Lord, from the depths of my soul I praise You for the unfathomable grace that has made me alive in Christ. In Adam, I was lost, condemned, and without hope. But in Christ I have been justified, reconciled, and granted eternal life. How great is Your mercy!
Lord, open my eyes to see sin as You see it. Let me never take lightly the weight of my transgressions, nor forget the infinite cost of my salvation. Because it was not with silver or gold that I was redeemed, but with the precious blood of the Lamb—without spot or blemish. Let my heart be broken over my sin, while ever rejoicing in my Savior.
Father, You have called me Your own, adopted me as Your child, and made me an heir of Your kingdom. What love is this, that You would not only forgive but exalt those who were once Your enemies? Teach me to live in the fullness of this reality. Let me walk in holiness, bearing the fruit of righteousness and bringing glory to Your name.
Lord Jesus, You came for me—not because of any merit in me, but because of the Father’s love and Your perfect obedience. My salvation is entirely of You, from beginning to end. Keep my heart fixed upon this truth, that I may never boast in anything but Your cross.
Spirit of God, lead me in the paths of righteousness. Help me put off the old man and walk in newness of life. Make me more like Christ, day by day, until the day I see Him face to face. And on that day, when faith becomes sight, let my praise resound for all eternity.
In the name of Jesus Christ, my Savior and Redeemer,
Amen.
Further References for 1 Corinthians 15:22
Romans 5:14; 1 Corinthians 15:45; Genesis 3:19; Romans 5:12; Genesis 2:17; Job 31:33.
[1] Wilhelmus à Brakel, The Christian’s Reasonable Service, vol. 1 (Morgan, PA: Soli Deo Gloria Publications, 1993), 387.
