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Begin wherever your curiosity leads. The studies will be here when you’re ready. When I shared my first Matthew study on Facebook today, I mentioned that I planned to post daily, though I might not share every post on Facebook. As I continue setting up this blog, I’ve realized that what matters most to me is making my past studies available for anyone who wants to explore them. For now, I’ll be adding posts to my heart’s content as I work through those studies. Some days that may mean one post; other days it may mean several. I’ll continue reading through and preparing each one before sharing it. There is no need to keep up with everything as it appears. This blog is becoming a place you can browse at your own pace—begin with a book, a question, or a study that interests you, and follow from there. The Bible Books page gathers studies by book, while Study Threads helps connect topics that travel through more than one book. The labels on individual posts also bring related material to...
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5. God of the Living: The Last Adam and the Heavenly Image

God’s Image Study • God of the Living—Christ as Lord of the Dead and the Living

Our examination of being made alive brings us to Paul’s comparison between Adam and Christ.

This connects directly with our God’s Image Study. We must examine the life and transformation associated with the heavenly image rather than assume physical existence already establishes that condition.

A living soul and a life-giving spirit

Paul writes:

“The first man, Adam, became a living soul.”
“The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.”

— 1 Corinthians 15:45, LSB, excerpts

Notice the distinction between living and life-giving. Paul’s description of the Last Adam directs our attention to life imparted to others.

The surrounding passage concerns resurrection. A natural body is sown; a spiritual body is raised. Paul also preserves an order: the natural first, then the spiritual. Read 1 Corinthians 15:42–46.

Bearing the heavenly image

Verses 47–49 continue the comparison between the earthly and the heavenly. Paul connects each with those who bear the corresponding image.

His description moves from the earthly image already borne toward the heavenly image to be borne. The transformation belongs within his discussion of resurrection and the change from mortality to immortality. Read 1 Corinthians 15:47–54.

These details give us reason to examine both what has been received and what remains to be fulfilled.

The Spirit dwelling within

Romans 8 brings the Spirit’s presence into the examination of life.

Paul distinguishes being in the flesh from being in the Spirit, connecting the latter with God’s Spirit dwelling within. He also states that a person without the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.

The following verses connect Christ within, life, and the Spirit of the One who raised Jesus from the dead. That same passage speaks of life being given to mortal bodies. Read Romans 8:9–11.

This requires more than examining the name we call ourselves. What does it mean for God’s Spirit to dwell within us?

Our Born Again Study belongs here. Birth of the Spirit, receiving life, and belonging to Christ must remain part of our understanding of the image being formed.

Life expressed through being led

Romans 8:12–14 connects living by the Spirit with putting the deeds of the body to death. Those led by God’s Spirit are identified as God’s sons.

Later, verse 29 speaks of conformity to the image of His Son, with the Son identified as firstborn among many brothers. Read Romans 8:12–14, 29.

The relationship includes life, guidance, and conformity. We should examine what leads us and what our lives are becoming.

Renewal according to the Creator’s image

Colossians 3:9–10 connects putting off the old man and his practices with putting on the new, who is being renewed in knowledge according to the Creator’s image.

The surrounding instructions make that renewal relevant to conduct. Paul addresses anger, malice, slander, and lying, then directs attention to compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love. Read Colossians 3:8–14.

This gives our study of image a personal application. Am I receiving correction and being renewed, or simply adopting religious language while protecting the same practices?

The passage also directs believers to let Christ’s word dwell richly within them and to give thanks to God the Father through him. The relationship remains present in the life being lived. Read Colossians 3:15–17.

Following the life being given

The Last Adam’s role as life-giving spirit belongs within our examination of God of the living and Christ as Lord of the dead and the living.

We are following what it means to receive life, be led by the Spirit, and bear the heavenly image. Each passage contributes to that examination, including its distinctions between present renewal and the resurrection still anticipated.

Threads to Follow

  • Life now and resurrection to come: Compare John 5:24–29 with Romans 8:23.

  • Hearing and believing: Examine how testimony directs people toward life in John 20:30–31.

  • The defeat of death: Follow the order in 1 Corinthians 15:20–28, preserving the Father–Son relationship.

The books were opened…

🌿 By Maria Emilia

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