The Painful Truth

"When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it.  She also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate it."  (Genesis 3:6)

The Bible’s story takes a terrible turn for the worse.  Adam, the one bearing God’s image who has benefited so magnificently from God’s kindness and generosity, decides that he knows better than the maker of all things.  Adam evidently managed to persuade himself that though God had promised a severe sanction were he to eat the forbidden fruit (“You will surely die” 2:17), God would not actually follow through on this.  This betrays his fundamental distrust of God’s word, and his complete misunderstanding of God’s person and character.

His wilful disobedience earns him a stiff rebuke, and his wonderful relationship with his creator is irrevocably damaged.  Not only that, his relationship with his wife is marred, and his authority over the rest of the created order is undermined; both of these act as permanent consequences and perpetual reminders of his selfishness and arrogance.

At one level it would be easy to look at Adam in shock and disbelief that he should selfishly and carelessly forfeit so much, yet as we read his story, do we not see our own story mirrored?  Can we really be so bold as to claim we have never wilfully chosen to do what we know is out of keeping with the character of the God whose image we bear?  Have we truly never doubted God’s willingness or ability to hold us to account?

For reflection:

1. To what extent do you feel Adam's punishment fitted his crime?
2. What does this answer reveal about your own understanding of the person and character of God?
3. Adam is immediately banished from the Garden of Eden so he cannot eat from the tree of life, but he doesn't physically die until chapter 5.  What does this indicate about the Bible's understanding of life and death?  What might it teach us about God?

 

Let's start at the beginning

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1)

This verse (and even more so the chapter that follows it) gives us a context for our lives.  We, as inhabitants of the earth, are part of the stuff that God created.  God chose to create us - he didn't have to, but he did - along with the stars and the "creatures that move along the ground".  This means that, in God's economy, we have a purpose - our lives and existence have meaning.  The Bible is quick to tell us what that purpose is...

"Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over [the rest of the animal kingdom]."  (Genesis 1:28)

We are image-bearers.  Our purpose is to reflect what God is like to the rest of the created order.  Can there be a more honourable task?  Could there ever be a greater privilege?

For reflection:

1. Read from Genesis 1:1 up to 2:3.  Does the passage raise any questions for you?  What does it tell you about God?
2. What does the fact that you have been created by God tell you about your relationship with him?
3. How are you doing with your God-appointed purpose?  What would help you with this?

What?

Movember has transformed the top lips of men all over the world and raised huge sums for prostate cancer research.  Decembeard promises to alleviate the suffering of bowel-cancer patients, whilst intensely irritating many a wife and girlfriend.  Stoptober has helped thousands quit the smoking habit.

Exploretumn is a new season for us all to enjoy.  And, as is the case with the "months" mentioned above, there's a serious purpose to it too.  As the year grows dark and cold and the trees and plants die back, so we human beings often retreat into our homes and our hearts begin longing for the new life of spring.  This time of year presents a great opportunity to us all to reflect on life; on relationships, on past regrets and on future hopes.  How do we make sense of it all?  What is it all about?

Christianity claims to be a framework which helps us make sense of life - through all the seasons and all the experiences.  Exploretumn is a chance to see where we fit with God, and what the implications of this might be for our lives (our relationships, our past regrets and future hopes amongst other things).

The official beginning of Exploretumn this year is 29th September 2013.  I hope you can join us!