From the "man of dust" to the "heavenly Man" 

As we begin the Sabbath, this evening, let us consider the wondrous miracle that God is performing through His Spirit in those called out in this age. 

Each of us, after our birth quickly begins to reflect the image of the first man, "the man of dust" with a mind receptive to the selfish-oriented philosophy that the god of this age transmits. 

Only when God opens our minds to the light can we begin to see how this selfish spirit has darkened our lives and the whole world. 

The exciting and wonderful news is that through God's Spirit, granted at baptism, God begins to transform those IN CHRIST to bear the image of the heavenly Man, that is Christ.  

47 The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.  (1 Corinthians 15:47-49 NKVJ) 

Let's review how does this occurs? 

First, we must be committed to not letting the old "man of dust" and his deeds reappear and striving to cast off remaining traits. 

6 knowing this that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. (Roman 6:6 NKJV) 

8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. (Colossians 5:8 NKJV) 

Second is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of the heavenly Man. 

10and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him (Colossians 3:10 NKJV) 

The miraculous work that God is performing through his Spirit in us is creating a Godly family, each family member reflecting the image of Christ.  Most do not fully understand or believe what scripture plainly states. 

For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:29 NKJV) 

The Sabbath is an ideal time to let the word of Christ to dwell in you richly and to be renewed in the knowledge of Christ.  

It is truly a miracle that God is performing in us and changing our orientation from the image of the "man of dust" to the image of Christ, yet all things are possible with God as we look forward to the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise of being transformed from the "man of dust" to the "heavenly man". 

2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. (1 John 3:2, NKJV) 

Have a wonderful Sabbath, and as the Apostle, Peter stated, "Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord" (2 Peter 1:2 NKJV).

- Bill Bradford