In Adam or In Christ?

(Picture from Cousins, Watsons and Relations by Shirley Watson Bain)

"So consider yourselves to be dead in sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus." (Romans 6:11)



I never knew my paternal grandfather. William Winfred Watson, Sr. was born in Ragland, Alabama on October 3, 1895 and served overseas as an army sergeant in World War I. After the war, he returned home, married Jessilee Robison, and worked with a mining company in Nauvoo, Alabama where my father, William Winfred, Jr., was born. In 1922, they moved to Akron, Ohio. My grandfather worked with the Goodyear Tire Company until his untimely death in 1925 at the age of 29 from influenza and pneumonia. Aunt Dot was born four months later.

Had my grandfather died in WWI, neither my father, my aunt, my brothers, nor I would exist. Moreover, our six biological children and nine biological grandchildren (thus far) would never have been born. So by birth, all of us are "in" William Winfred Watson, Sr..

Likewise, by birth everyone on planet earth enters life "in Adam" and spiritually dead in our inherited sin nature.

"Therefore, just as through one man [Adam] sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned...so then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men...For as through one man's disobedience the many were made sinners." (Romans 5:12,18a,19a)

Jesus Christ, however, gave the remedy for our doomed condition: "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3)

How can this be????

It's truly possible to be born again because "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son [Jesus], that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

"For if by the transgression of the one [Adam] the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many...So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness [Jesus' death on the cross and resurrection] there resulted justification of life to all men [who believe]. For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One [Jesus] the many will be made [alive and] righteous!" (Romans 15b-18.)

So, beloved, where do you stand today - condemned and dead "in Adam" or raised to newness of life "in Jesus Christ"? (God offers you His free gift of forgiveness and eternal life, but it must be accepted by your faith.)