Transformer - 01/10/2021
Aftermath From the First Sin
Why do men have to work so hard? Why do women have so much pain in child delivery? Why does a serpent travel on its belly?
The answer to all three questions is they are the aftermath from being involved in the first sin committed on the earth. However, in addition to these physical elements of the punishment, there were some spiritual elements as well.
In this Genesis (3:1-24) story, the serpent is identified as Satan. Part of his punishment was that the head of the serpent (Satan) would be crushed by some person from the seed of the woman. This “seed of woman” is later revealed in the Bible as Jesus. As one reads the remainder of the Bible, they will discover how Jesus accomplishes this feat, even though Satan did “bruise” the heel of this same person.
There is also another element of this aftermath from this first sin which was committed by both the man and the woman. The process of death, our physical cessation of existence, began. Some years later, both Adam and Eve, ceased their physical existence on this earth. They died.
Related to this is the element of spiritual death, separation from God, which occurred immediately. This is first seen in them hiding themselves from the presence of God among the trees. Up to this point they were always walking with God in the garden in the cool of the day. But after this event of breaking God’s commandments, they were afraid of God.
It is also observed that God, after He issued His decree of punishment, did several gracious things for the wellbeing of Adam and Eve. He made clothes for them. While casting them out of the garden may at first appear to be a bad thing, in the long-run it was for their good; it kept them from eating of the tree of life and therefore living forever in this state.
Ever since this first sin was committed mankind has had to deal with the aftermath of the actions of these three. Mankind still sweats and toils dealing with life’s difficulties to provide for his family. Women are still having extreme pain in childbirth. The serpent is still crawling.
The good news is that Jesus did one day crush the head of Satan. Even though humanity, of all ages, experience physical death, there are now provisions for mankind to escape the spiritual death. The possibility of being eternally separated from God has been removed. While the possibility of spiritual death has been removed, it is only available for those who determine within their own mind that in their daily lives they will be living God’s way. – cgm
Thinking on the Word…
Everyone Is Different
Paul compares the membership of a local congregation and the universal church to a human body in I Corinthians 12. There is to be one body even though it is made up of many members. Each member is important even though they do not all have the same functions.
Paul points out that everyone was “baptized into one body” (vs. 13). By everyone having to be baptized in order to be part of this “body” it means that everyone had to do the same thing in order for them to be a member of this body. It did not matter if they were “Jews or Greeks, … slaves or free, … [everyone is] made to drink of one Spirit.” Paul stresses the fact that “the body is not one member, but many” (v.14).
Paul uses parts of the human body to illustrate that no one body part is more important than the other. The foot is not more important than the hand. The ear is not more important than the eye. The body cannot be all “eye” nor can it be all “ear.” Each part is important even though it has different functions. What may be considered the less important parts may be very important.
The application is that everyone is to care for each other. There needs to be the feeling that everyone is important. However, just because everyone is important does not mean that everyone can do the same function. There should not be the feeling “my function” is more important that “your function.” Likewise, there should not be the feeling that “your function” is more important than “mine.” The functions are equally important because God determined them to be important.
The person who does the work “behind the scenes” is just as important as the person who is “always in the limelight.” Neither can say that their function is the most important to the local church. Likewise, we do not need to feel inferior because our function seems “trivial.” It is very important! You are very important! – cgm
Words of Wisdom
“Will they not go astray who devise evil? But kindness and truth will be to those who devise good.” - Proverbs 14:22
When one devises evil, they will go astray. The planning, the extensive thinking, the making of elaborate plans will cause someone to put all this devising into action and will thereby be lead astray.
It is not the devising that is the problem because devising knows neither good or evil. It is the person who is doing the devising that will determine if they are devising evil or devising good. Regardless of which one is done, both have consequences.
When one spends time making plans for things that are good, then they will be rewarded with “kindness and truth.” When they are always thinking of good things, then good things will come to them. This is not to say they will never have any bad things happen to them or have problems in their life, but it is to say that for the most part “kindness and truth” will come to them.
When a person is thinking about good things they are not going to “go astray.” They are not going to leave what is right and pleasing to the Lord. They are not going down a path that will lead them into evil. Going into evil or being led astray is impossible if a person is “devising good.”
How can someone turn from “going astray” to having “kindness and truth” come upon them? The answer—change the things they are “devising.” Change from devising evil to devising good. Change from constantly thinking about evil things and begin to think about good things. Quit thinking about doing all the wrong things and spend an increased amount of time thinking about good things. The more the mind is allowed to elaborate on good things, the more kindness and truth will come upon them. Think about doing good! - cgm