In Adam (the old man) humanity is ruined and far from God. For in union with Adam we all exist in the old order under the reign of sin and death. What is needed is a new beginning. And Jesus is that new beginning.

In Jesus’ death on the cross the old order was crucified.  In his rising from death, as the new man, a new creation begins. The old order has passed away; all things have become new. For through Jesus’ death the old Adamic order of sin and death comes to an end.  And in his resurrection the new order of righteousness and life begins.  Jesus rises as the new man and in him we rise as the new humanity within an entirely new creation.

 The Spirit of Christ brings this new man to us in living encounter and our faith in him is born.  In faith, we now know that we have been crucified with Christ so that we no longer live in the old order.  Our old life is dead. In faith, we now know that we live in Christ as he lives in us within the new order. Our new life (which is our real life) is with Christ in God. He is our life.

Since, then, we have been raised with Christ, we set our hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  For we have died, and our life is now hidden with Christ in God. And we eagerly await the day when Christ, who is our life, appears, for then we also will appear with him in glory.