Genesis 5

“These are the family records of the descendants of Adam. On the day that God created man, He made him in the likeness of God; He created them male and female. When they were created, He blessed them and called them man (Adam). Adam was 130 years old when he fathered a child in his likeness, according to his image, and named him Seth.” Genesis 5:1-3

Some believe nature is evolving and changing for the better. Attached to their belief is the notion that society is also evolving. Obviously, we have more technology than any generation before us. Medicine, education, and science are more prominent than ever. But are we “better” people than our ancestors? How does this generation’s morality compare to that of our grandparents? Or Great-grandparents?

Despite all of our technical innovations, society is actually morally worse than ever. I would put forth that morality has been on a downtrend, devolving since Adam. Here are a couple of examples:

First off, the Bible identifies every successive generation as “Descendants.” That downward verbiage doesn’t sound very optimistic. It states the obvious: the more generations we produce, the more we descend spiritually. On the contrary, God’s children could be characterized as “Ascendants.” We all share the hope of resurrection and are co-inheritors of Messiah’s blessing. All who faithfully believe in Jesus have been given the right to be sons & daughters of God. Now, that’s an up-trend!

Secondly, Adam was created in God’s image and likeness. But Adam’s descendants were created in Adam’s likeness. That’s a descending trend if I ever saw one! Adam was made perfect in God’s image and then sinned. Adam’s descendants were born into his cursed image & likeness, with the need for atonement. Only Messiah Jesus can break that curse.

“As in Adam all die, so also in Messiah all will be made alive.” 1 Corinthians 15:22

Again, amid society’s degradation, we have the reminder of Grace: While we were yet sinners, Jesus atoned for our sin. More than simply giving us a fresh start, Jesus’ salvation transforms His followers, forever altering their downward trajectory. Being transformed into the image of Jesus is literally the difference between eternal death and eternal life.