Series 1 - Lesson 5 - Annotation 10
Show the justice of the statement, "As in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive." — I Cor. 15:22.
10. Adam represents the personal consciousness or outer mind of mankind that forms judgments from appearances. The Adam consciousness is the race consciousness, the race mind at work. When a man appropriates in his mind the impressions resulting from his personal experiences, as when Adam ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, he aligns himself with that which destroys his peace of mind. He places himself under the mental law of cause and effect, where each thought gives rise to a corresponding effect. Cause is always within the individual, and his disobedience to the law of Being produces double vision. Instead of seeing with the single eye of faith in God he is confused; he sees many images, among which are the forms of Adam and death.
Christ represents God consciousness, the inner mind and feeling of man at one with God and at peace within and without, with itself and with the whole universe.
The justice of the statement lies in the fact that all men are created equal. Man is free, just as free as God is free. Therefore he may choose the kind of thoughts and feelings that he will entertain in his mind and heart. If he chooses the Adam variety, he will die. If he chooses the Christ Mind, it will keep him eternally alive in spirit, mind, body, and soul.
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Preceding Entry: Explain the teaching that all men are sinners in Adam and righteous in Christ.
Following Entry: What is meant by "work out your own salvation"?
