June 16, 2009
The Consequence of Sin
Sharon Jaynes
Today’s Truth
“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned …” (Romans 5:12 NIV).
Friend To Friend
After Adam and Eve ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they realized that they were naked and were ashamed. So they hid.
In the cool of the day, when God came to stroll with His friends, they were nowhere to be seen. Of course, He knew where they were. He always does. But He called out anyway, “Where are you?” It was the first question in the Bible – the question He still asks of us today.
Adam and Eve appeared from behind the bushes, clothed in fig leaves and a downcast countenance. They admitted what they had done …sort of. Adam blamed the disobedience on Eve, Eve blamed her actions on Satan, and Satan; and well, I imagine he just grinned from pointy ear to pointy ear.
God cursed the serpent and predicted that One would come to crush his head. Eve was cursed with increased pain in childbearing, a desire to control her husband, and his new position to rule over her. Adam was cursed by working the ground with little result, but the most painful punishment of all was separation from God and spiritual death.
Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden. Cherubim with flaming swords flashing back and forth were placed at the entrance to keep them out. I can almost hear Eve as she walked away from her home. How did this happen? What have I done? How could I have been so foolish? Tell me, haven’t you wondered the same after you’ve bought into the enemy’s lies and succumbed to his suggestions?
Do you think God knew this would happen? I don’t know for sure, but upon close inspection, Genesis 1:29 does not say “for if you eat of it you will surely die.” It reads “for when you eat of it you will surely die.”
I can picture Eve walking out of the garden down the path of failure and defeat. Just yesterday, she had it all. It was a time of firsts. “In the beginning” quickly shone the spotlight of Eve: the first woman, the first wife, the first to believe the enemy’s lies …oh yes, she was a woman of many firsts, but she would not be the last.
Join me tomorrow as we get…the rest of the story!
But I just can’t wait to give you tomorrow’s truth to ponder …“For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:17 NIV).
Let’s Pray
Dear LORD, two of my favorite words in the Bible are “but God.” Thank You so much for Your plan of salvation for mankind. You could have left us eternally separated from You because of our sin, but chose to give Your Son as a sacrifice once and for all, to pay the penalty for us. Thank You for making a way for me to be eternally joined with You.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen
Now It’s Your Turn
Let’s look at these words in today’s devotion: How did this happen? What have I done? How could I have been so foolish? Tell me, haven’t you wondered the same after you’ve bought into the enemy’s lies and succumbed to his suggestions?
Think of a time when you uttered those same words.
Now picture God calling out to you, “Where are you?”
Now picture God making the ultimate sacrifice in order to wipe away your mistake.
Write out your own prayer of gratitude for God’s incredible gift for you. Write out your own, “But God” story today.
More From The Girlfriends
If you’d like to comment on today’s devotion, visit Sharon’s blog at http://sharonjaynes.com/blog/
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Originally published Tuesday, 16 June 2009.
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