The same hopeless labyrinth of error arrives if one
carries this conclusion into 1st Corinthians chapter 15. Here is the “nutshell
gospel” as I like to call it. This is how Paul began this chapter in his
systematic defense of the reality of bodily resurrection, ultimately linking
his argument again to the contrast between the first and second Adam. The
resurrection was necessary, Paul argues that the natural body of a man with the
sin nature is sown and the spiritual body is raised from it.
The apostle likens
the two differing bodies with contrasting terms such as “corruption and
incorruption,” “dishonor and glory,” “weakness and power,” “natural and
spiritual.” He finishes this part of his discourse by confirming without doubt
there is a natural body and there is a spiritual body, 1st Corinthians 15:44. “And
so it is written, ‘The first man Adam became a living being.’ The last Adam
became a life giving spirit,” verse 45. Paul assures us that “as
was the man of dust (Adam), so also are those who are made of dust; and as is
the heavenly Man (Jesus), so also are those who are heavenly. And as we have
borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the
heavenly Man,” 1st Corinthians 15:48-49.
We have borne Adam’s image; that is we are born with a
nature like Adam’s own. We are subject to the judgment of death God passed on
this creation. “For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the
dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive,”
1st Corinthians 15:21-22. Again we have the double affirmation that it was
man’s doing that death entered the universe, and that if we are not born again
but remain represented by Adam our father death is our certain end, spiritual
and physical. But if we are in Christ, the second Adam, we are re-made in His
image and receive eternal life and finally when our bodies are raised in the
resurrection, immortality. Again this immense insight and wisdom about the
condition of man’s spirit, the presence of death in the world and what becomes
of us at death and thereafter becomes meaningless if we cast out the foundation
of creation. For the Holy Spirit lays the groundwork of Christ’s offering for
sin once for all on the reality that death is not a natural process but its
presence is a tacit reminder of man’s rebellion. The whole creation suffers
from the corruption of bondage death brings as it waits to be delivered into
the liberty of the children of God, Romans 8:21.
The gospel suffers violence at the hands of professing
Christians who have no faith in the revelation vouchsafed for us in the pages
of Scripture. Jude urges Christians to earnestly contend for the faith once for
all delivered to the saints, Jude 1:3. We are not counseled to pick and choose
what portions of Scripture we believe and jettison or remake the rest by means
of our own corrupted reasoning. This appalling and groundless lack of faith on
our part in modern Christendom is surely a sign that Christ’s return is near,
for our Lord said “Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on
the earth?” Luke 18:8. As Christianity at large seeks to replace
revelation with faulty rationale we must hold fast and contend for the faith as
we are commanded, and this includes the truth regarding man’s origin and God’s
direct influence in creation. Why question what is said when so clear of an
account is given?
“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on
eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good
confession in the presence of many witnesses. I urge you in the sight of God
who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good
confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep this commandment without spot,
blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing, which he will manifest in His
own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord
of lords,” 1st timothy 6:12-15.
Originally jeans were working men's clothing but in recent years they have become a fashion accessory, meaning nothing, In much the same way, professing to be a Christian has similarly become little more than an accessory to give a certain appearance, meaning nothing. How many of those who profess to be Christians don't really believe enough to even know what salvation means?
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