And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving Spirit. 1 Cor 15:45

Have you ever been in a room where all was quiet, all was solemn? A place where people seemed so distant, alone, and separated? Then it happened that someone entered the room and all things changed. People came alive, full of energy, excited and engaging. I’ve seen this happen with my children after a long day to come home and announced, “Daddy’s home.” Immediately they became alive with excitement and filled with joy. For what they could not bring of themselves was given to them by one who loved them and poured himself out for them. The scripture passage reminds us that though we are living beings, we are not complete, and something is missing. Though man “became a living being,” he is a depraved soul cast down to the material pleasures of the world, left restless and wondering for the greater glory for which he was created. The soul of man is “a living being” but not alive because of sin. The soul of man is “dead in trespasses and sin” (Eph 2:1) and must be made alive by “a life-giving Spirit” to know the glory of heaven. For depraved man, God sent His only Son Jesus to save man and deliver him from sin and give him eternal life. The eternal life of Jesus Christ is Spirit filled life and all who believe the gospel and receive Jesus by faith have life everlasting. The gospel is life declared to the soul of man and the Spirit gives life to those who hear and believe. Jesus declared “It is the Spirit who gives life…the words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life” (Jn 6:63). The Spirit speaks through the word of God that “is living and powerful…and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb 4:12). The Spirit knows the hidden thoughts of our heart, all the lies we believe, the deceptions that we hide behind, and the fears that we shun. The Spirit actively seeks to draw the souls of men to the marvelous truth and give life to all who believe through faith in Jesus Christ (Rom 3:22). Dear friend, are you in the “first man Adam” or “the last Adam?” Have you heard the Spirit search your heart and speak to your soul the good news of God’s love for you? He gives life for your soul that “you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Pet 1:8) such that the Spirit of His Son cries out from a joyful heart “Abba Father!” (Gal 4:6). One day soon, we will rejoice with the Father, because His children are home. Jesus is the “last Adam…a life-giving Spirit.” Have you been given life in Him? Father, thank You for Your love and life in Jesus Christ. You are worthy of all praise and all thanksgiving. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.