IN THE BEGINNING

"In the beginning," is the way many bibles start.  Some bibles say, after a bit, that God made people  in His own image--or  in everyday language, "like Himself."  Now, Adam and Eve were the highlight of God's creation--perhaps, the very reason God created the earth.  He delegated authority and control over the earth to Adam and Eve and all humanity, expecting us to take responsibility for the environment and other creatures who inhabit the earth.  God was careful about making the earth and charging us with this responsibility.  Therefore, we must not be careless in taking care of it.


Perhaps you remember how God told Adam to live and work caring for the Garden of Eden.  But, Adam was specifically told to not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for if he did "he would surely die."


God said "It is not good for man to be alone," so He created Eve as a suitable helper for Adam. Once she became woman and was present with him, Adam specifically told Eve what God said about the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.  Until this time, they were innocent about their bodies and could skip and run about the garden unaware of their nakedness, innocent and lovely.  But a serpent lived in the garden, also, more crafty than any of the other wild animals.  He said to the woman, "Did God really say, "You must not eat from any tree in the garden?"  She answered, "God did say we may eat from the trees in the garden, but, "You must not eat from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die." "


"You will not surely die," the serpent said to Eve.  "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."  (Here Satan tried to make Eve think that sin is good, pleasant and desirable.  People often choose wrong things convinced those things are good, at least for themselves.  Our sins do not always appear ugly to us, and the pleasant sins are the hardest to avoid.  We must be wary of attractive temptations and remember there is always a way to escape the temptation by using God's Word and God's people to stand against it.)


In Genesis 3:7 it reads, "She took some fruit from the tree to gain wisdom and ate it.  She also gave some to her husband who also ate it.  The eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked."  Adam and Eve felt guilt and embarrassment over their nakedness, which in turn made them try to hide from God.  A guilty conscience is a warning signal God placed inside us that "rings" when we've done wrong.  Be glad we can be made aware of our sin, so we can ask God for forgiveness and correct our wrong doing.  (Over time, that little bell does not ring as loud as it does at first.  Sin has a way of tuning out the "conscience bell.")


Adam and Eve had first tried to hide from God, and covered themselves with fig leaves.  It can't be done; you can't hide from our all-knowing God.  Be honest.  Honesty will strengthen our relationship with God. God wants this rare, lovely relationship with us, but because of our sins, we are afraid to come near to Him.  All of God's commands are for our own good.  People who trust God will obey because God asks us to, whether or not we understand why God commands it.


Adam and Eve blamed one another for their sin.  but God knew--he always knows--the truth.  they chose to disobey. God, our Holy God, could not let their sin go unchecked; he had to punish it.  God hates sin because He is Holy.


Many lives come after Adam and Eve, with painful stories as a result of this first sin, called "The Fall."  Disobedience is sin, and it breaks our fellowship with God.  God is willing to forgive us--when we are sorry for our sinfulness-- not its results--and to restore our relationship with him. 


This was the first sin acted out by the first people--not the last sin or the last people to sin in this old world.


I'm afraid this is our habit; this is our way.  Thank you, Lord, for forgiving us when we ask.  Help us to ask.


Jo INMN