Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Fall - Violation of purpose of Creation
Genesis 3:14-24
Vs 22 -“And the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” 
In the above passage we see how the snake, the woman, and the man were judged by God for their transgressions. Each of them received a punishment specific to their situation, and they each had a vital relationship altered.
The snake was cursed to crawl in the dusty ground and this denotes humiliation and defeat. God’s judgement falls on the woman’s unique role of child bearing and on her relationship with her husband. The woman will have desire for her husband and he will rule over her. The judgement on man was that he must labor and toil to work the ground but with decreased productivity. God clothed Adam and Eve and banished them from the Garden of Eden.
Here we see that human sins have broad effects on creation. In verse 22, we see how God prevented human beings from eating of the tree of life and having to live forever. However, through Jesus Christ, we can have eternal life. God has a plan and purpose for our lives. He gave us the choice to accept or reject his salvation. He gave us the choice to obey or disobey his commands. He gave us the choice to follow or ignore the purpose for which he has created us.
In Deut 30: 15-16, we see that God gave the same instructions to the Israelites, through Moses, before they went into the Promised Land. They had the choice to enjoy the riches of the Promised Land. The Israelites had to choose to obey God in order to enjoy life in the Promised Land.
Today, if we are to enjoy the good things God has planned for us, we need to live in obedience. God has given us the ability to make wise and poor choices. If we make wise choices, it will be a blessing, but if we make poor choices, it will be a curse.
PRAYER
Father, we pray that you bless us with wisdom to have discernment between right and wrong, obey your directions, and accept your salvation. Please help us to live our life to the fullest measure in order to please you. In Jesus’ most holy and precious name we pray. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Obedience leads to righteousness.
Annie Varghese, Chicago MTC, IL
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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