Last week we saw how God made the world. His creation. A part of His creation was humankind. Within that world, there was no sin. It was paradise. Perfection.
While in the garden, this,
“But the Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden— except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.” Genesis 2: 16-17 NLT
In this commanded God demonstrates His love for the man and woman He created. He set forth a boundary to protect them.
Yet, Satan caused Adam and Eve to doubt God’s love for them when he tempted them to eat of the tree.
“The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” (Genesis 3:1 NLT.)
Because of this doubt, it led to disobedience.
“The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful, and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. At that moment, their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.” (Genesis 3:6-7 NLT)
Then, “When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.” Romans 5:12 NLT
“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” (Romans 3:23 NLT)
So it happened. The fall of man into sin separated us from God. “So the Lord God banished them from the Garden of Eden, and he sent Adam out to cultivate the ground from which he had been made.” Genesis 3:26 NLT.
The fall caused death to enter the world. Humankind was condemned to be separated from God. Yet, God loved us before the fall and He loved after. Before Adam and Eve were sent out of the garden, God made them a promise. Within the punishment of Satan, God promised redemption for humanity.
“And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.” Genesis 3:15 NLT.
From that time, the people of God have looked for the fulfillment of that promise. It came through Jesus.
“So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man. Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life.” I Corinthians 15: 21-22 NLT
