Contrast

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE:

Several years ago Billy Graham preached in St. Petersburg, Russia. During the crusade a very brilliant architect, an atheist, came to hear him. Night after night he listened to the preaching of the gospel. He didn’t make a decision during the crusade. As he thought about the matter later, he realized the question was not, "What should I do with Jesus?" but rather "Am I smart, or am I stupid?" "Am I a normal person, or am I crazy?" And so while he was taking a shower one day, it all came together for him. With the water splashing in his face, he looked to heaven and said, "Jesus Christ, forgive my sins." In that moment, he was saved, his sins were forgiven, and he was transferred from Adam to Christ. (Told to pastor Ray Pilchard by Pastor Sergel Nikolaev)

If you want to know the heart of the Bible, and the central truth about world history from God’s point of view, you only need to know two people. This section of Scripture shows a contrast between Adam and Christ.

CONTRAST BETWEEN ADAM AND CHRIST

15 Adam: Because of Adam’s sin men are separated from God. Christ: Because of Christ’s grace man has been offered eternal life.

16 Adam: Adam’s sin brought judgment. Christ: Christ’s death brought justification.

17 Adam: Because of Adam’s sin death reigned. Christ: Because of Christ’s death believers reign.

18 Adam: Condemnation brought on all men. Christ: Justification offered to all men.

By virtue of our physical birth, we are in Adam’s family. However we don’t have to stay there. God has made a way for us to pass from Adam to Christ. Our first birth put us in Adam; Our second birth puts us in Christ. That’s why Jesus said, "You must be born again."

APPLICATION:

In what area of my life am I most like Adam? What changes need to take place in my life to make me more Christlike?