DISCIPLINE? YES! CRUELTY? NO!
“I will put enmity between you {Satan} and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” Genesis 3:15
So many have had their heart broken by bitter vows and judgments. “I’ll never forgive you.” “You’re no longer my son, or daughter.” “I never want to see you again.” “I’ll never speak to you again because you said that!” “You’ve gone too far and you’re hopeless!”
Ever heard those words? You know you’ve blown it so badly that you’ve been told there’s nothing you can do to make things right. Finding this hard to believe, you try everything to make it up to the person A parent, a boss, an old friend. But, you’re shut out. Bearing consequences without any chance of restoration is cruel God does not ever do this. He never inflicts hopeless despair.
Can you picture this scene in the Garden of Eden? Things were absolutely perfect. There was no disease, danger, or disappointment. No famine, nothing bitter or rotten to eat. No hurt feelings. No fear of intimacy. Then the serpent came. He lied, cajoled, and reasoned with the woman while Adam stood nearby and probably heard everything. Doubt about the goodness of God was planted and the woman chose to explore the alternative path Satan presented. Can you feel the weight of her choice?
Creation broke in half Immediately, she and Adam knew something horrific had happened. I’m sure it felt cataclysmic and irreparable. God cursed the earth, inflicted the consequences, but in the very same breath gave hope for a Redeemer. From the seed of the woman, One would come who would crush the head of the serpent and offer redemption to fallen men and women.
If I know Jesus, Eden is offered to me now, internally. Through Jesus, I am made perfect again. I walk with His Father in the cool of the evening, just like Adam and Eve. I get daily instructions for how to rule my Garden, just like Adam and Eve. I ask Him, daily, for the wisdom to see through the lies of the tempter and He promises spiritual savvy.
The eternal judgment I deserve has been withheld because the Redeemer came and I trusted in Him for total forgiveness. For every child of God, the kingdom-Eden, is here now. We need only look inside to Christ to live there. And one day, we will step into a tangible Eden to live forever with our Creator!
You never speak hopeless words over anyone who trusts in the Redeemer You sent to undo what happened in the Garden. Jesus – the name of above all names – is our Savior. All glory to you, God. Amen.
For more from Christine Wyrtzen and Jaime Wyrtzen Lauze, please visit www.daughtersofpromise.org
For more from Christine Wyrtzen and Jaime Wyrtzen Lauze, please visit www.daughtersofpromise.org
Originally published Friday, 14 February 2020.
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