May the mumbling commence!
Jesus is the new Adam. You and I still represent the old Adam whenever we do things that betray Jesus. C.S. Lewis, in his Chronicles of Narnia, referred to humanity as sons of Adam and daughters of Eve. Though C.S. Lewis grew up an atheist, he became a strong Christian in faith later in his life. This Christian influence saturated his Chronicles of Narnia. For all those C.S. Lewis fans out there, read this passage from Romans chapter five:
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned – for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come.
But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man's sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. (Verses 12-19)
I was taught when the speaker or writer repeats a point that means the point is vital to understand. Sometimes, our minds might wander. We often need repetition to drive a point home. Isn’t that the whole philosophy of practice? So, don’t think about things you have yet to do this day when someone repeats themselves. The imperative is: LISTEN!
Paul repeats numerous times in Romans chapter five the dynamic for the world of the old and the new Adam. The old Adam sin once, and the stain blemished all humanity. When we make un-Christ-like decisions we sin even as the old Adam did.
The new Adam displayed a life of total and perfect obedience to God. This one act of righteousness became a gift of grace for the whole world. We have to but believe and receive – this is our act of faith. Our act of worship is doing our best to perfect our living unto the life that Christ Jesus lived – in total and perfect obedience to God. When we show our faith in and worship of God, we are sons and daughters of the new Adam.
For the fans of C.S. Lewis’ Narnia series, which son of Adam are you? The son of the old Adam or the son of the new Adam?
But what about the daughters of Eve? Is there a new Eve? Read part of the curse that God put on the serpent in Eden:
And I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and hers;
he will crush your head,
and you will strike his heel." (Gen 3:15)
If there is a new Eve, I think it would be Mary the mother of Jesus. She believed the promise of God and gave her life to raise, love, protect, care for, and relinquish the Son of God – the new Adam – to the fate that God had prepared for him. That was quite a task!
In this time of Advent, women, be spiritual daughters of the new Eve, Mary. Center your lives on Jesus (Aslan). Relinquish all of your life. This centering and relinquishing is the call of all Christians, male or female.
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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