Instruction
Scripture: Genesis 3:8-15
In this text we find Adam and Eve immediately after they
have disobeyed God by eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. As
Adam and Eve begin the new reality of their life as sinful beings they
experience separation from God and from one another, but God promises One who
will save them from their sin. God moved Moses to record this event to show us
the damage that sin does to individuals and their relationships. In addition
God promises the Savior and sets his plan of salvation into action.
Teaching
This passage teaches us what sin
is and what it does. Sin is disobedience of God. Adam and Eve were commanded
not to eat, and they did. Essentially, they placed their own will over God’s
will. Sin’s consequence is death, but in the meantime, what it does is create
separation and division in relationships. The man and woman experienced
separation from God. They displayed division as they blamed one another.
Interestingly, God’s response to
sin was to create another division. “I will put enmity between you and the
woman, and between your offspring and her offspring,” God said to the serpent.
In putting enmity between us and the serpent, he divides us from the devil, the
world, and even our own sinful nature. Not only that, but he is here promising
a Savior who will undo the evil that has been done and restore our
relationships with God and one another.
Life
Often in life we find ourselves
caught in strained relationships. We do well to recognize that the cause for
that strain is sin. God has kept his promise to send an offspring from Eve to
crush the serpent’s head – that is to defeat the devil. That offspring is Jesus
and he defeated the forces of sin and death by dying on the cross to forgive
our sins. Since Jesus has provided forgiveness for us we are reconciled to God.
At the same time, we have the opportunity to extend and receive forgiveness in
our relations with others, and to be reconciled to them.
Look for opportunities to
forgive others for Jesus’ sake, and recognize where you also receive
forgiveness.
Prayer
The focus of this prayer is on Instruction.
Father in Heaven, you have given
us your word that we might know you as our Creator, Savior, and Comforter. Please
give us your Holy Spirit to open our hearts and minds so that we might receive
and believe your word. As you teach us about sin, help us understand how
damaging it is in our relationship with you and the relationships we have with
others. Grant us faith to trust your promise to save us from our sin and to
trust that you have kept that promise by giving your Son, our Savior, Jesus to
die for our sins. Open our minds to understand our lives according to your
word. Amen.
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