E100 Reading: Genesis 3:1-24

Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”
Genesis 3:9 (NLT)

Today’s reading leads us to Genesis chapter three, where a pivotal change takes place in the life of man, as these passages give us an account of the Fall of Mankind into sin.  The greatest impact of man’s fall is that it separated man from their day to day relationship with God. 

In verse eight of this chapter we read that God would meet them in the cool of the day to fellowship with them; that is, until sin brought an interruption to this relationship.  Of all of creation, man was born to have a unique and personal relationship with their Creator.  So we can see that sin’s greatest offense is that sin’s choices bring with it the fruit or harvest of division and separation in one’s life.

It is interesting to note, that when man fell, it was not God who hid from man, but man who hid from God.  Sin’s baggage brings a loss of identity in one’s life. This loss of identity, brought guilt and shame, where there was once clarity and stability.  The result causes one to hide from themselves and those with whom they are connected to.

Think about it; to have a personal relationship with someone, one must also have the ability to choose.  How could man choose to give up something so wonderful? It’s easy, when man allows temptation’s voice to misrepresent what is true.

Man’s fall from their close relationship with God began with a temptation; that opened the door to deception and deception’s question misrepresented the truth influencing one’s choices.

“Did God really say that you must not eat fruit from any tree in the garden?’
Genesis 3:1

So many times we can focus on the “act of sin” instead of the “impact of sin.”  The deceptive temptation promises so much, but never shows you the moments after and the cost of that choice.  Ultimately, the greatest impact of sin is the separation and consequential loss it brings in one’s life.

So, before taking a bite into what seems so promising, allow the voice of God to ask you a simple question to locate you: “Where are you?”  

Don’t allow the temptations of this life to deceive you into questioning what is good and true. But draw from God’s love that provides a promise of escape when you choose to trust in who He is and what He has said.

 The only temptation that has come to you is that which everyone has. But you can trust God, who will not permit you to be tempted more than you can stand. But when you are tempted, he will also give you a way to escape so that you will be able to stand it.
1 Corinthians 10:13

Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.
Hebrews 2:18 

 Written by Pastor Denise Satrape