From First to Last Adam: A Heart Established in Grace
“For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace” (Hebrews 13:9).
The journey of the Christian life, from the moment of justification to the process of sanctification, is firmly rooted in grace. Without a solid foundation in the grace that justifies us at salvation, our growth in grace during sanctification becomes uncertain and fragile. The unshakable truth of what Christ has accomplished on our behalf must be the anchor for our continued transformation. Let’s explore today’s online Abide Above devotional.
The Finished Work of the Cross
When the Lord Jesus died and rose again, He left sin and death behind forever. Living in the eternal presence of His Father, He became our new representative—the Last Adam, as Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:45. Just as Adam’s fall brought death to all, Christ’s victory at the Cross brings life to all who are in Him.
In Christ, we too have died to sin:
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20).
“For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body ruled by sin might be rendered powerless” (Romans 6:6).
This is not an abstract theological idea; it is a reality established by God. Through our identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection, we are no longer slaves to sin. The old man—the person we were in Adam—has been crucified, dead, and buried. What remains are the residual patterns and memories of the old life, which Scripture refers to as "the flesh." These are not the old man resurrected but the lingering tendencies of a life once lived apart from God.
Living from Grace, Not Effort
Our feelings and experiences often contradict this truth, leading us to doubt. Yet, grace calls us to rest in what God has declared to be true. We are no longer bound by sin, and it no longer has dominion over us as we yield to the Spirit:
“Reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:11).
Sanctification, the process of growing into Christlikeness, flows from this foundation. It is not achieved by striving or self-effort but by yielding to God. As we trust the Holy Spirit, He continually applies the finished work of the Cross to our daily lives, keeping the flesh in its place of death and enabling us to walk in freedom.
Bearing the Image of the Heavenly
The ultimate goal of God’s work in us is to conform us to the image of Christ:
“As we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly” (1 Corinthians 15:49).
This transformation is not instantaneous but progressive. Day by day, the Spirit renews us, reshaping our hearts and minds to reflect the character of Christ. It is a process that involves daily surrender, as we allow God to work in us according to His purposes.
A Call to Rest in Grace
As believers, we are invited to live in the light of this grace. We are no longer striving to "become" something; we are living out the reality of who we already are in Christ. When we rest in this truth, we honor the grace of God and experience the abundant life He promises.
Let us reflect on these questions:
Are we fully embracing the truth of our death and resurrection with Christ?
How can we surrender more fully to the Spirit’s work in our lives?
Are we allowing grace, not effort, to shape our daily walk?
A Prayer of Thanksgiving
Father, thank You for the finished work of the Cross and for placing us in Christ, the Last Adam. We rejoice that our old man is not only crucified but dead and buried. Thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to walk in the freedom and newness of life that You have given us. Thank you for teaching us to rest in Your grace, to yield to Your Spirit, and to live each day in the light of our heavenly identity. May our lives reflect Your glory and bring honor to Your name. Amen.