“Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust (Adam), we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven (Jesus).” (1 Corinthians 15:49)
Barring Divine intervention all mankind is spiritually dead although image-bearers of God. Because they are image-bearers, humans universally pursue re-formation toward what thy sense they are not, that is, toward the unfallen Adam in fellowship with God. This truth is no more evident than in the world's obsession with macro-evolution, as if somehow mankind will progress beyond the violent wreckage of history to build up to or into God. All mankind, apart from union with Jesus Christ, farther from what they are not (friends with God) and closer to destruction (complete and eternal separation from God).
In union with Christ however, which requires divine intervention of the Father, Son and Spirit, individuals undergo steady re-formation that inevitably results in a contrast with the progression of natural, fallen mankind. Christ followers, by Grace, pursue what they know for certain they do not have, that is, righteousness. While justified in Christ's righteousness, they travel closer to the likeness of Christ so that for eternity, they are able to exceed unfallen Adam as the adopted siblings of Christ.
"For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren." (Romans 8:29)
God owes death to Adam's entire family and Life to Christ's. When God says, "precious...is the death of His saints", He is rejoicing that in those individuals, both debts are paid.
