Neither Adam nor Eve’s reaction to sinning for the first time was to turn to their creator, the one they had walked with in the garden, the one that had been their only comfort.  Their first reaction was to try to fix their mistake themselves by covering it up.  They had not only believed Satan’s lie that God wasn’t enough, but that they could fix it without Him.

You know what?   Satan hasn’t changed.  He doesn’t have better tactics than he had in the beginning.  He does the same thing to us now.  He separates us from the truth of God, tells us we are in charge of own lives, then convinces us that we don’t need God to help us.  There is nothing in God’s character that confirms this.  As soon as Adam and Eve sinned, God implemented a plan of redemption, even before they repented.

So, why do we continue to believe this lie?  Why do we, over and over, believe that we don’t need Christ, commit our sin, then try to fix the sin ourselves.  Like the fig leaves and animal skins that Adam and Eve used as the first clothing, we can only cover up sin; we can’t do anything redemptive.

Satan has and always will be an accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10).  Yet, we keep going back to him.  We keep falling victim to our feelings of inadequacy by exerting our self-will and stubbornness instead of listening to Christ.
Do you think that one day you will arrive?
Do you think that one day you can achieve your own salvation?
Are you consumed with shame when you mess up?
The reality is that you will never be enough.  You will never be able to undo your previous mistakes.  Nothing good resides in your flesh.  You must go to Christ, admit you’re wrong, ask for forgiveness, then walk forward with a new plan.  That’s it.

Many times, Jesus showed us the character of a good shepherd that takes care of His flock with love. We often fixate on the young David playing his harp on the hillside as the sun sets, but often we forget that David also fought off the lion and the bear.  The lion had already taken the lamb.  David chased after the lion, saved the lamb out of its jaws, then slew the lion (1 Samuel 17:34-35).  He fought to protect his flock.

When Christ came to earth to save us from the jaws of religion, rules, and shame; He set out to do battle with the Pharisees and Sadducees.  He came to everyone, especially the down and out including the woman caught in adultery and the leper (John 8:3-11; Matthew 8:2-3).  He came to show us that we aren’t good enough, but He loves us.  We are only complete in a relationship with Him.  That’s it.  In my weakness, He loved me (2 Corinthians 12:9).  No amount of work or effort will make me worthy of His love.

If we are to follow Christ’s example, then we must set the captive free, including ourselves (Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18).  If what we are currently doing doesn’t glorify God, then it’s about us.  Christ came to establish a kingdom, not based on rules, but based on personal relationship.  He loves each one of us, despite our mistakes, and shows us that we are unable to solve our own problems.  He communes with us and gives us meaning in having a relationship with Christ.

– Written by Jeremiah

Read all of Genesis 3 for more insight.

 

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