The New Adam and the New World

"And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'"

Matthew 28:18–20

With the reality of the resurrection of Christ surely on our minds this Easter I hope we would take consideration of the fact of the purchasing power of the atonement. No, this isn’t an article about the scope of the atonement in regards to whether Christ died only for those who would believe, the elect, or all people in general. That is a good discussion and one that I will surely touch upon at another time. I want to bring to your attention the reality of the authority and dominion that Christ purchased. 

The New Adam

“Thus it is written, ‘The first man Adam became a living being’; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.”

1 Corinthians 15:45

Adam was given responsibility and charge over the earth. As the history tells us, Adam failed this endeavor. His failure subjected the earth to futility. Adam’s sin did not only result in a corrupted human nature but nature itself felt this corruption. Noah offered some relief to this problem as was foretold. Yet, Paul tells us that nature awaits the revealing of the Sons of God (Rom. 8:18–25). This revealing results in setting creation free from the bondage it was subjected to in the first. Paul compares this with the believer awaiting the resurrection of the body (v.23). This reality is not one we currently see. Yet, even so, we are continually reminded by Paul, and Jesus, to put to death the deeds of the flesh. We are not powerless to honor God with our bodies even though they are not fully renewed. This is true also of our standing and interaction with creation. Although the New Heavens and New Earth are not yet square in our face we see the world change for good as history moves on. This is because of the One to whom authority has been given over it. Yes, Christ is the one who has all authority. We do not go about changing hearts in order that he might have all authority. That is not what Christ told his disciples. He told them that because all authority was given to him they were to go therefore and disciple the nations. 

Do not Fear

“Nations will fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth will fear your glory.”

Psalm 102:15 

Christian, do you fear the world today? Are you afraid of the corruption? The murders? The many crimes and false religions that beat their breast saying, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the beasts of the field”? Fear not. 

“For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous, lest the righteous stretch out their hands to do wrong.”

Psalm 125:3

Christian, who is promised the earth? Is it not you? “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matt. 5:5). Any semblance of ownership the ungodly possesses is on borrowed capital. It is not his. They will not win. Islam will fail. Secular humanism will fail. This world and all that is in it is Christs. 

“The heavens are yours; the earth also is yours; the world and all that is in it, you have founded them.”

Psalm 89:11 

We ought not to fear those giants in our land. In order to kill the giant called ‘abortion’ we do not need to get enough votes. David was one man who took down the best the Philistines had to offer and they fled after Goliath was defeated. We need simple, fearless, bold, and promise believing persons to stand in the face of these giants in a land that is ultimately Christ’s and to call them to submit to their King. “Nations will fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth will fear your glory” (Psalm 102:15). They will fear his name and his glory. We are not a defeated people. That was the heart of the Israelites when Goliath mocked them for days upon days. Roe V. Wade stands tall in the valley, mocking, year after year calling all to bow down and submit to its tyranny. Christian, you do not need to fear. It will be defeated. But you must not put your trust in parties, in numbers, or in organizations. No, you must trust in the Lord for the battle is his. He has promised and he will deliver. Christ was given promise to inherit the nations. The Father will fulfill this promise. For as the new Adam, Christ does not only change hearts but also what comes from the heart of man. Murders come from a wicked heart but Christ changes hearts. Therefore, murders will diminish as hearts are changed. This is true of all sins. Whether it be handling money or handling babies we can expect God to work for he is faithful to fulfil his promises. So let us rejoice that we have experienced resurrection of the heart and soul. But let us also rejoice in the expectation of all things being subjected to the Lordship of Christ. And as we see even now the changing of bodies in obedience to Christ so too we see and will see the obedience of all things to Christ. 

“Arise, O God, judge the earth; for you shall inherit all the nations!” 

Psalm 82:8

Further Study:
Videos:
End Abortion Now without the Numbers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qT9CojLTLnA