The New You, Part 2

“But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.” 1 Corinthians 15:20-22       

“So also it is written, ‘The first man, Adam, became a living soul.’ The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.” 1 Corinthians 15:45

Trying to live a victorious Christian life while fighting ourselves is a losing proposition. But experiencing Christ’s triumph on a consistent basis against the power of sin makes the abundant life feasible.

The Bible speaks of it this way. Before we were saved, we were “in Adam.” That means we were totally apart from Christ, separated from His life, dead to His presence. We were enemies of the cross.

Once saved, by a supernatural act of God, we were placed “in Christ.” That means we are now entirely pleasing to the Heavenly Father. There is no part of our being that He does not lavish with His love. We are totally accepted in the Beloved because our old sin nature (what we were before Christ) has been crucified with Christ.

Even more the triumph of Christ over sin is now available to each of His children. Since we are in Him, all of His divine resources - His Word, His Spirit, His power - are ours to conquer the power of sin that indwells us but is no longer our master or our identity.

For the Christian, it is Christ and us against the power of sin, not Christ and me against me and sin. Our victory over dominating habits, treacherous passions, and emotional strongholds is entirely possible - for Christ is in us and for us.

“...Who will set me free...? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ...” Romans 7:24-25