While reading Genesis 3, it seemed like such a simple thing. It seemed like good things would happen. There was immediate gratification. However, this text demonstrates how serious such little decisions can be that once appeared to be harmless. In truth, we have before us the gravity of any act that is contrary to God’s instructions. The concern is not about the size or color of the sin as we would call it. The issue is that sin, any sin, is an act of rebellion against God. Since none of us are perfect, we all have COMMITTED some type of sin. This text also demonstrates that there is only one way back from our fallen state. It all began by Adam’s problem being passed to every one of us so that now each of us must individually come back to God, back from the fall. Today we call that being saved or being born again.
First, let us look at Adam’s problem. He listened to another, in this case Satan appearing as a serpent, while ignoring God. He represented all of us as being the first man in creation. So, he was not the only one in the situation. He aligned himself with Eve whose temptation became irresistible. It was simply a suggestion from what she already had done. As a result, his cooperation alienated him from God’s friendship. God warned him to no avail. In the days that he succumb to the temptation he died. His death was a spiritual death figuratively leaving a hole in his spirit. His death was a physical death because eventually his flesh was turned to ashes. By partaking of the disobedience against God, he did experience the knowledge of good and evil. Also, he experienced the knowledge fear.
Today every person has this problem. He is our spiritual ancestor. Adam generated through his fall the problems that we experience today in this world. As result, of his sin, he was ejected from the Garden of Eden. That meant he was ejected from God’s perfect plan that involves us now. Adam demonstrated his own free will by partaking in what he would later regret. Not only was the consequence eventual (of his death), he was certain to face judgment. No one had to tell him to hide. His own conscience immediately threw him into an uncomfortable place. We can praise God that he was not left alone in that hiding. God’s mercy intervened by providing animal skins to cover their nakedness. It was this slaying of an animal whose blood was shed that set the tempo of biblical prophecy leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus as our ultimate sacrifice.
Pay close attention to this Scripture because the solution to his problem was on an individual basis. There was no group cure in which all suddenly became righteous. When we say that a person accepts Christ as Savior, we is saying that each individual must address the problem of their own rebellion against God. It does not matter if they saw that it was simple or harmless or of no consequence. Mankind’s opinion about his own destiny has no weight. Today many people place their own thoughts about what the Scripture says. There will be no excuse that they could generate on their own Judgment Day for not accepting Jesus. We must recognize the sin for what it is and seek God that we might have justification in the same way that an attorney would plead the case before a Judge. No amount of good works are good intentions matters. Without this justification mankind tossed aside God’s instructions and warnings. In the same way, we must all confess and believe the plan that God developed through his son. After an individual is born again by the blood of Christ and their admission to not being God’s child in the first place, it will be evident of an ongoing faith. It is not enough for a person to support good causes or religion. The way a man or woman thinks must be set aside in favor of God’s provisions. Whereas Adam brought a terrible consequence on the human race, our Savior Jesus brings for us through his Spirit the joy, peace, hope for this life and the next as we come back from the fall.
Christian Writer 