Starting Over
There was only one prohibition in Eden, but it carried a stiff penalty. God informed the perfect pair, “If you eat the fruit of this single tree, you will die. Do as you will with the rest of the trees in the garden, but don’t eat of this one.”
Most will think it relatively easy to avoid one thing. However, this was the one thing forbidden Adam and Eve, and prohibitions hold deadly attractions. Even for good or, in this case, perfect people.
A few things come to mind in considering the sole prohibition in the Garden. First, it doesn’t seem that Adam and Eve were able to resist temptation very long. No dates are given, but it appears that paradise had a brief shelf-life. No children were born in Eden. Another consideration (now a mute-point) is that we don’t know if further life in Eden would have gendered more prohibitions and guidelines. It may well have.
When Mr. and Mrs. Right fell into sin and pulled the universe in after them, they did not die. Now, I’ve always heard it preached that they began the process of death. True. On the other hand, God did not visit immediate wrath on them which would be the normal interpretation of something like “when you eat from it you will certainly die.” I tend to believe that the day of the fall was also a day of grace. God could have done to them what He could do to us, but He didn’t.
It is the disposition of God to redeem. He doesn’t have to, but it is His nature. How sweet the sound of amazing grace. God always acts in accordance with His person, and He will not disallow justice forever in the name of mercy. A time has been set for reckoning, but grace flows down today. Adam and Eve got a second chance. The reboot was not as palatable as the first opportunity, but it was a chance to begin again. Consequences were definite- not final.
God has been doing the same thing throughout history- giving grace and second chances, to people who have flubbed the dub. Grace is not always given so we should not presume, but it is always the hope and help of men. Seldom do people have the same opportunities the second time around, but they may be as great and, perhaps, greater. Often, people are more judicious in using their resources after failures. Sin is harmful but the lessons learned may be healing.
We really don’t know the mind of God and the intricacies of His eternal plan. The mysteries of how and why things happened such in one circumstance and differently in another will remain until the end of the age, and God is not compelled to answer all our questions in our lifetimes. Taken another way, if we are in Christ, we only have one life, and it is continuous through everlasting. While on this earth, however, you will have a series of breakdowns and restarts.
God is always taking the old and worn and making it new. He is the only one Who can do that because He is the only one with the legitimate right to call off all bets. Many others will count you out when God has plans for you.
Sorrow for your weaknesses, but embrace grace. We can’t relive the past. When God gives you another chance, take it and take off. It’ll be just like starting over.
Sterl
