Readings for the day: Genesis 3, 4, 5
Why is the world so full of violence? Why is the world so full of suffering and pain? Why do human beings seem so bent on hurting themselves and one another? Why is there so much hate? So much spite? So much anger? Why are we so selfish? Greedy? Full of pride? Why are we so prone to attack? To think the worst of one another? To focus more on what divides rather than what unites? Why is it so hard for us to love God with all our hearts? Or to love our neighbor as ourselves? Sure, we might be able to do it in spots. Brief moments of time, often brought on by crisis, where the clouds seem to lift and the glory of God comes shining through. But then the fog settles back in, we go back to our routines, and the lessons from those moments are lost.
God did not intend the world to be this way. As we discovered in the first two chapters of Genesis, God created everything to be good. Perfect. Beautiful. And who knows how long the paradise lasted? Who knows how long Adam and Eve lived and worked in the glory of Eden? What we do know is that there came a day when paradise wasn’t enough. Tempted by Satan, they disobeyed God. They fell into sin. And because of their exalted position - literally God’s vice-regents on earth - all of creation suffered the consequences of their tragic choice. To whom much is given, much is expected and Adam was given dominion over all God had made. So now creation groans awaiting the day when God will set all things right and make all things new.
When we read Genesis 3-5, we see the anatomy of sin played out over and over again. It always takes the same course. It begins with disbelief. Distrust of who God is and what God has said. “Did God really say...” Satan’s first tactic is to always get us to disbelieve God. “Surely you won’t die?” Once Eve starts to doubt, Satan launches his second attack. Desire. “When you eat of it...you will be like God...” And Eve begins now to look at the fruit differently. Rather than see it as God sees it, she begins to desire it. She starts to rationalize. “It is good for food.” “It is a delight to the eyes.” “It will make me wise.” Desire unchecked leads to action and so Eve plucks a fruit from the tree and eats. She gives some to Adam - “who was with her” so you can’t pin this all on Eve - and he ate as well. And then comes Satan’s final attack. After doubt has given birth to desire. And desire left unchecked has led to sin. The result is always shame. Adam and Eve suddenly feel exposed. Naked. Guilty. So they sow fig leaves together to hide from each other and God.
We see the same story played out with Cain. His offering isn’t accepted and he grows angry. He refuses to believe God when He gives him a second chance, “If you do well, will you not be accepted?” Instead he lets his anger grow to the point where he murders his own brother in cold blood. Then comes the shame. “My punishment is greater than I can bear...” And the implication in the second half of chapter four and the generations listed in chapter five is that this same pattern is being repeated. How do we know? By the refrain, “And he died...” Death, according to God, is the righteous punishment for sin. And all have sinned. All have fallen short of God’s glory. Therefore all die.
Is there any hope at this point in the story? Genesis 5:24. “Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.” Even here, in the opening chapters of Genesis, there is this sense that death cannot hold those who walk with God. Death has no power over those who walk with God. And we see this preeminently in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Here was a Man who walked with God! Here was a Man whom Death could not overcome! Here was a Man who knew no Sin yet who became Sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God!
So...are you walking with God? Do you take every thought, every feeling, every emotion, every action captive to Christ? Do you trust God’s promises? Do you believe God is who He says He is? Have you placed your faith in the Son of God and do you walk in faith every moment of every day? Or do you allow desire to run unchecked? Do you allow your doubts and fears and shame to overwhelm? Hear the good news of the gospel from Romans 8:1-2, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” Believe this! And live today in God’s grace, love and power!