Serving the Lord and Building a Strong Christian Character. This is the first of the three part series on the topic and we want to begin the study by talking about the basics of human nature, sin and what to expect from this world.  If you are already familiar with the concept of original sin, that’s fantastic.  However, for those that are not, I’ll spend a few minutes covering this fundamental topic.  

Genesis is the first book in the Bible and it tells the story of creation.  In Genesis 1:1 we are told that “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”.  It goes on to describe how God created the rest of creation, culminating with mankind on the 6^th day.  In Genesis Chapter 1 verse 26 it states, And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the heavens, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over all the creepers creeping on the earth.  Furthermore, we are told in Genesis chapter 2 verse 7, that Jehovah God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.  We are made in God’s image and likeness; therefore, we are above all creation.  Then we are told that man lived in a paradise called the Garden of Eden.  There was neither pain, nor sickness, nor death.  It was a wonderful arrangement, but sure enough, man laid that to waste.  God gave man one commandment; do not eat the fruit of the Tree of Life.  In Genesis chapter 2 verses 16 through 17, it says, Jehovah God commanded the man, saying, You may freely eat of every tree in the garden, but you shall not eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. For in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.

I often dream of what it would be like to live in the Garden of Eden and experience that exhilarating moment in human history.  Can you imagine being in direct communion with God, speaking to Him freely and enjoying His magnificent presence? Imagine living in a world without sickness, evil, murder or war? Every time I read the news and hear of people dying due to war or famine, I can’t help but to think back to the Garden of Eden. 

So, how did man go from living in paradise to what we call reality today?  Essentially, man allowed Pride to consume his heart and a desire to be like God.  Satan came to them in a form of a Serpent to deceive them.  This was a direct disobedience to the Lord.  Genesis chapter 3 verses 1 through 7 goes through the details of how the serpent deceived Eve who in turn gave the fruit to Adam to eat as well.  They severed the perfect union between God and man, which wasn’t remedied until the coming of Jesus Christ.  Those who accept Jesus as Lord and Savior restore their likeness to God.  Jesus is the bridge between man and God.  As a result of man’s disobedience, God exiled them from the Garden of Eden and condemned them to death through the generational curse. 

Why did God allow for Adam and Eve to be deceived?  The short answer is free will.  God has given humans the ability to reason, and make decisions freely.  Free will is both a blessing and a curse, especially, after the Original Sin.  Early church fathers have debated this topic extensively and Augustine of Hippo provides a Pauline explanation (Apostle Paul).   He compares free will to a pair of scales.  Prior to the Original Sin, those scales were equal; however, after the Original Sin those scales were tipped towards sin.  Think back at times when you made a decision; what was it based on? 

Therefore, generation after generation, people were born into sin and lived in separation from God.  In the New Testament, Book of Romans chapter 3 verses 23 to 26 Paul says²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. ²⁵ God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,^[i] through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— ²⁶ he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. 

Immediately following the first sin of Pride, we learn about the second sin; Murder.  Adam’s son, Cain murdered his brother Abel.  The generational sin immediately manifested in their offspring.  We are told in Genesis that Cain tilled the ground and Abel was a shepherd.  Both provided offerings to the Lord, and in this instance, Cain withheld from God the best of his labor, while Abel did not.  Therefore, jealousy develops in Cain’s heart, progressing into a deep hate that resulted in murder.  He murdered his own brother because the Lord found his offering more favorable.

How many times has that happened to you?  You do something better than someone else, and that person hates you for it.  Jealousy is a powerful emotion, strong enough to lead people to hurt each other.  No one is immune from this and we can expect to be hurt by friends, family, and others.  If you put your trust in humans, you will consistently be disappointed.  Place your trust in God and cling to Him; do not believe in false securities.   

In my life I have experienced disappointments as well.  People that I have trusted have betrayed me and caused pain that was difficult to forget.  One example of this betrayal took place in my previous employment by my manager who presented herself as a Christian sister.  It took me by surprise as to how a person claiming to be a Christian was able to manipulate someone whom she would frequently pray with.  It was a difficult time for me and through Jesus I was eventually able to forgive that person.  So no matter who it is, mother, father, Christian brother or sister, we should always be careful of human beings.  In Matthew Chapter 10 verse 16, Christ says, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.  We’ll talk more about forgiveness later, but the shock of being manipulated was devastating.  Praise God that chapter in my life has passed and through Christ I see people in a different light.  We must constantly forgive those that hurt us as I Lord forgives our sins. 

Trust in God alone and in the precious blood poured for us by Jesus Christ on the cross.  He has redeemed us to God the Father.  We are saved by grace, which is a gift given freely to all those who repent and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. 

This is why we have suffering and death on earth.  The punishment for the Original Sin was death.  We are born and undergo deterioration, culminating in death.  In Genesis Chapter 3 verse 19, God says to Adam, for dust you are, and to dust you shall return.  If you haven’t already accepted the Lord Jesus Christ and don’t know where you will spend your eternal life, prayer this prayer to receive the Lord: Lord Jesus I know that I am sinner and I ask you forgive me of my sins.  I believe that you were crucified for my sins and through your blood I have redemption and salvation.  Please come into my heart and I receive you as my God.  I pray in Jesus name. AMEN 

Please check out the second part of this study by clicking here