Taking a look at some 'firsts'

Picture this: A man pushing a bicycle through the library. Yes, that actually happened and right here in Tucumcari! A bystander asserted it must be a first. I can’t verify it as a first for all time, but it probably was a first for those of us present.

As we approach Jan. 1, I wonder how many people actually will keep their resolutions. I suspect if any do, it’d be a first — at least for some of them. I haven’t made many New Year’s resolutions. Some I’ve made, I still keep; others, I’ve rethought and resolved to never make again.

Most promises (resolutions) I’ve made regarding stopping sin in my life I’ve broken and remade accompanied by the prayer, “Please, forgive me and help me to not do that again.” In many of those cases, I didn’t do my part to take the way out God provided so I could stand up to the temptation, although, God also provides a way out of the sin for Christians (1 Corinthians 10:13; 1 John 1:5-9).

Anyway, this article is about “firsts.”

The first man, Adam, had it made at first. All he had to do was obey one rule and tend the Garden (Genesis 2:15-17). That’s more work now than it was for him because he could do it without breaking a sweat, and there were no weeds or insects to contend with; nonetheless, he disobeyed the one rule and lost it all causing us to also suffer the consequences of his sin (Genesis 3:1-24; Romans 5:12-14; the law referred to here is the law of Moses, not the one rule the first man Adam broke).

More important than that first act of disobedience (sin) is what the one to come, last man Adam, accomplished through obedience to become a life-giving Spirit (Romans 5:15-21; Hebrews 10:5-7; 5:7-9; 1 Corinthians 15:20-23, 45). This is the good news delivered in the first century once for all time; the only message to be preached that can bring about the salvation of the world (1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Jude 1:3-4; Acts 4:12; Galatians 1:6-9).

To begin receiving the blessings of Christ and enjoying the good life the first man Adam enjoyed, we must follow God’s commands to believe in Jesus, repent of our sins, confess Jesus as Lord, be baptized for forgiveness to receive the life-giving Spirit, and live to please God (Romans 10:8-10; Acts 3:38-39; John 10:10; 15:1-10; Revelation 2:10). By obeying these commands, the first principles of salvation, we become united with the last man Adam — Jesus Christ — in his death, burial, and resurrection, thereby putting to death our sinful nature we inherited from the first man Adam and gaining the privilege of sharing in Jesus’ resurrection to inherit eternal life (Romans 6:3-11; 8:1-17; Hebrews 6:1-3).

If you haven’t begun that process, don’t wait until New Year’s Day. Resolve and do it today making this the first day of your eternal life because today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:1-2).

Leonard Lauriault is a member of the Church of Christ in Logan who writes about faith for the Quay County Sun. Contact him at

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