Daily Devotions

 

“Bearing the Image of Heaven”

“The first man was from the earth, made of dust; the second man is from heaven. People who are made of dust are like the man of dust, and people who are heavenly are like the man from heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.” —1 Corinthians 15:47–49 (paraphrased from NRSV)

We all begin life in the image of Adam—the one made from dust. That means we know weakness, struggle, temptation, and the certainty of death. Dust speaks of what is fragile and fleeting. It’s a sobering reminder that we are not in control.

But Paul introduces a glorious contrast: the second model, Jesus, who is from heaven. In Him, a new image becomes possible. Jesus didn’t just restore what was lost in Adam—He offers something entirely new. A heavenly identity. A risen life.

We still live in a dusty world, and we still carry some of Adam’s frailty. But in Christ, we are being reshaped. Little by little, we are learning to live as people marked not by earth, but by heaven. And this transformation is not just for “someday” in eternity—it begins now.

To bear the image of the one from heaven is to reflect His nature. To speak with His compassion. To forgive like He forgives. To love with His kind of love. It’s not easy—but it’s possible, because the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in us.

So when we feel overwhelmed by our humanity, or discouraged by our weakness, remember this: We were made of dust, yes—but you are being re-formed in the image of heaven.

Reflection

• Where in my life am I still living like the “man of dust”?
• How might I more fully reflect the character of Christ today?
• What does it mean for me to carry a heavenly identity in everyday situations?

Heavenly Father,
You formed me from the dust, but you have not left me there. Through Jesus, you are clothing me with a new identity—shaped not by failure, but by resurrection. Help me reflect Your likeness in the way I live, speak, and love. Remind me that I bear the image of heaven, and give me grace to live it out each day. Amen.