Tuesday, October 31, 2006

The Bite Heard around the World

But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.

—Genesis 2:17

Do you know what Adam’s job description was? It was to tend the Garden of Eden. That does not mean that Adam was a gardener. In the original language, the word used for “tend” meant he was to explore and discover the mysteries of it. Adam’s job was to walk with the Creator of the universe, to live in fellowship with Him, and to explore the wonders of His creation.

God even blessed Adam with a companion. In the Garden there was no sin, no evil, and no corruption. Adam had a body that could live forever and a wonderful person to spend his life with, discovering the glories of God’s creation. God did not lay down many rules, but He did tell Adam, “ But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” ( Genesis 2:17). You know the rest of the story. Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, and it was the bite heard around the world.

That fateful bite brought sin into the human race. A curse came upon creation. Now our bodies wear out. Now we have to work for a living. Now we face the limitations of sin. We experience sickness. And we face death.

But because of Jesus’ death on the cross, the Christian does not have to fear death. The Bible asks, “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:55). And Jesus said, “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Those who have been born twice will live forever in the presence of Christ.

For more relevant and biblical teaching from Pastor Greg Laurie, go to www.harvest.org.

Copyright © 2006 by Harvest Ministries.   All rights reserved.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version.   Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.   Used by permission.   All rights reserved.   Bible text from the New King James Version is not to be reproduced in copies or otherwise by any means except as permitted in writing by Thomas Nelson, Inc., Attn: Bible Rights and Permissions, P.O. Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214-1000.