HOW DID THINGS GET SO MESSED UP?

Just like little toddlers, Adam and Eve ran around naked with no shame (see Genesis 3:7). Just like a little child, their only concern was obedience to their Father. There was only one restriction: “Don't eat of that tree of knowledge”.

With the decision to disobey came the knowledge that they had done something contrary to God's command, and with that knowledge came fear, shame, and a desire to hide themselves from God. Separation from God became their motivation as recorded in Genesis 3:8-10. Then came the blame game – Adam blamed it on Eve, Eve blamed it on the serpent (Gen. 3:12-13).

So how did they “know” they were naked? This is a question that God asked them (Gen. 3:10). The serpent didn't tell them. God didn't tell them. Did this tree have some “magical” power? I doubt it. The miracles that I've observed during my lifetime were not “magical”. There were no orchestral crescendos, no angelic choirs, no blinding light from heaven. In my observations, the miracles of God are many times “quietly surprising”, utilizing the physics and laws of nature to accomplish something most unusual or humanly unexpected.

So how did they realize they were naked? Shame. With the decision to disobey their Father came shame and guilt. They became ashamed of THEMSELVES! Hence the desire to hide themselves – even from each other!

Along with fear, guilt and shame then comes envy, covetousness, hatred and finally murder! The utopia in which they lived was now corrupt, and if allowed to remain there they would have destroyed it in time – just as we are doing to this earth.

Since all authority on earth was given to man (Gen. 1:28), the serpent (Satan) had absolutely NO authority or ability to influence affairs on earth ----- UNTIL they listened to him and obeyed Satan rather than God! The earth and all its' affairs became corrupt and subject to Satan's meddling. Then, because of Satan's newfound platform on earth, mankind now must be concerned with “right” and “wrong”; “good” and “evil”. Is this thing good or bad? Should I do this or that?

The earth and mankind have never been the same since. God is working to restore that innocent walk with Him that He originally intended for us; but because of His promise that WE should have all authority here on earth ---- IT IS UP TO US! He will not force us. The decision to rely upon Him and follow Him is OURS! He has given His Son to handle the guilt and shame of our lives; but the choice to accept it and follow Him belongs to each individual.

I find that as I get older, I must rely more and more on the grace of God each day. To rest in Him is a gift that I missed during much of my younger days. I pray that each of us may know the joy of resting in Him and His provision --- with an absence of fear, guilt, shame, and all the evils that accompany them.

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