And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.” (Gen 2:16,17)
God cannot lie. Adam did eat of the tree of knowledge, and as far as I can tell, he did not die. At least, not right away.
Yet, God did curse Adam…By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return. (Genesis 2:19)
Fact is, Adam and Eve may have enjoyed life in Paradise with God forever had they not violated the one rule He had given them. They received the curse of physical death because of their sin and rebellion. They would return to dust because of their sin. Eventually, they surely did die.
It may seem a strange opening to the history of mankind, but if you look intently into the Word – you will see the message of the gospel in even this very first encounter with God. Adam and Eve were born into blessing. They were given all they needed for life, but they wanted something more. They coveted what they could not have rather than be satisfied with God’s provision and protection. They rebelled. God gave them over to this sinful nature, and allowed them to suffer, for a season. Isn’t this the story of our lives?
Consider this summary of what happened in the Garden:
1. God gave mankind everything they would need for life and godliness.
(His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of himwho called us by his own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3)
2. Man rebelled against God.
(All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23)
3. God allowed man to pay the penalty for their rebellion by causing them to have to toil and labor for a season. He left them to fend for themselves awhile.
(And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Peter 5:10)
Enter the New Covenant…
4. God, in His mercy, provides a perfect sacrifice for sin.
(For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16)
5. Mankind only has to look to God for help, and He will serve as their Deliverer.
(To all who received Him, to them that believed on His Name, He gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12)
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13
You will surely die. Someday, the life you know on this earth will be over. The question is, are you living now? Have you allowed the lies of the enemy come to steal, cheat and destroy your life?
Check your spiritual pulse. Do you have a heartbeat of love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control? Is the fruit of the Holy Spirit evident in your life? If not, you may already be dead, my friend. Sad, but true.
Jesus said, The enemy comes to lie, cheat, steal and to destroy, but I have come that they may have life and have it to the full! John 10:10
Do you have life? Do you have it to the full?
All of us struggle often with brief times of doubt and anxiety, that is not what I am talking about. I am saying, as a general rule, would others view you as loving, joyful, patient, kind, full of faith, gentle and self-controlled?
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you–unless, of course, you fail the test? 2 Corinthians 13:5
We must examine ourselves. Are we “in the faith?” Passing this test simply means what it says above, we realize that Christ Jesus is in us!
…Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you?
That is a question we should ask ourselves each day of our lives. Do we realize that we are walking vessels of the Most High God? If we could really come to believe this, wouldn’t it transform the way we live, act, think? Listen to these verses, and tell me if I am over-stating a theological reality:
The kingdom of God is within you. Luke 17:21
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 1Corinthians 6:19-20
God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27
Is that enough evidence to establish this as a truth for every believer in Christ? I think so. Why do we struggle so much to believe it?
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10
What is the thief trying to steal?
Our inheritance. Our confidence. Our hope. Our faith. Our trust. Our victory. Our fellowship with God. Our life!
We are committing spiritual suicide if we continue to let doubtful thoughts cause us to toil and labor. We are living under the Old Covenant curse rather than in the Victory of the New Covenant. Christ was slain for you and for me. If we say we believe this, but we do not claim the victory given us because of this finished work, and walk in that victory, it’s as if we are saying, “God, your Son’s sacrifice was not enough for me.” We are trampling upon His grace.
To all who received Him… Do you receive Him?
To all who believed on His Name… Do you believe on the Name of Jesus Christ – knowing that there is no other name by which we can be saved?
…He gave the right to be called children of God!
Have you accepted your inheritance as daughter or son of the Most High God and King? He has called you His child. Just as Christ is His Son, you are His child! You share in the inheritance of all the Saints that have gone before!
Are you accepting this adoption process, or are you a run away?
Examine yourself, to see if you are truly in the faith.
I love you. God loves you even more. Accept His love. Walk in the truth of His grace. Live the victorious life!
Spiritual Endurance Training 