Hope after the fall

Read: Genesis 3:1-24

God gives us incredibly specific instructions as to what we should and should not do. With Adam and Eve, he walked with them in the Garden, and spoke with them in an audible voice. They knew him in a way we are unable to experience, yet still they fell to disobedience.

The devil is crafty in his ways. He is well studied, with an ability to pose temptation to us in a way that causes us to step back against our better judgement and question God’s word. I imagine us to stand before our temptation much the same as Eve stood before the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, we gaze at the object or idea and the longer we stand there, the more we realize the fruit, or the temptation, is good, pleasing to the eye, and desirable thus giving us justification to give in to disobedience.

As we stand there gazing, our thoughts wander and we begin to think, ‘This drug isn’t going to kill us.’ ‘This financial decision isn’t going to break us.’ ‘This innocent text isn’t going to hurt anything.’ ‘This relationship makes me happy nothing bad can come of that.’

We stand there making up in our mind and listening to the whispers of the devil, forgetting what the word of God has taught us- forgetting to seek God, not even trying to gain his thoughts on the matter.

In a moment of weakness we give in, and at that point become just like Adam and Eve. We realize, no, we didn’t die from consuming the fruit and giving into temptation, but as time goes on realize that the financial decision that didn’t immediately break you has caused so much stress on your marriage that your seeking divorce, or you find that no, the drug didn’t kill you- yet – but it has you crippled and craving to feed your addiction by any and all means.

No, the initial text didn’t cause harm, but it made it easier for the second and third, and now you’re involved in adultery and have no idea how to stop it all, not to mention the pain you have caused to those you love. Don’t forget the relationship that makes you happy, the one that certainly nothing bad could come from, well – that one, the one you were warned against, now, you have found yourself completely isolated, doing things you never would have thought acceptable before, you’ve lost your friends, and are living a life of loneliness far from God.

Much like Adam and Eve, no, the initial bite of the fruit didn’t pose any consequences; it must have tasted good for Eve to share it with her husband, it’s much the same with us, we don’t feel the initial consequences of giving into our temptation, it may even feel good to do so BUT we do eventually experience the ripple effect of it all, the far reaching implications that just like Adam and Eve, we can’t hide from them.

Yet how incredible is it to realize that we serve a God that is so merciful and gracious! A God that just like he went looking for Adam and Eve in the Garden, he comes looking for us, even after we reject him, he still seeks us. Not only did he seek them, but he gave Adam and Eve hope, when he told the serpent,

I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel. Genesis 3:15

In these words, he promised this was not the end of the battle, their offspring would cause harm to the enemy. As if that isn’t enough, acknowledging the realization of their nakedness, he provided clothes to cover them. How incredible to think…they knowingly disregarded his word, and we do the same, yet he still chooses to seek us, bring us hope, and provide our needs. What a gracious God we serve.

The financially broke, the addicted, the adulterer, the abused, the liar, the misguided, the depressed, whatever imperfection you have (we all have at least one)- every single one of us – he seeks, gives hope, and provides for.

1 Peter 2:24

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Psalm 147:3

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

1 John 1:7

And the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

Psalm 34:18

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Remember these powerful words today, where ever you are, whatever you’re experiencing. He loves you. He wants you. His grace is enough. You just have to…Choose Him.

Written By: JD Hartz

I am a sinner saved by grace…A lover of Jesus Christ.

I am filled with His Spirit and washed in His blood.

I am a prodigal returned home to my Father. Once lost and unworthy of His love, He pursued me, had mercy on me, and captivated my heart. His mercy gave me a second chance. It presented me an opportunity, an opportunity to choose Him. Every day we are presented with a choice. This is me choosing Him…

You can find me on the web at https://choosehimblog.wordpress.com/