“And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, ‘Where are you?’” (Genesis 3:8-9)
We learn a lot about sin and our selves when we read about the fall of Adam and Eve. Once they had sinned they knew they had to hide from God. They had disobeyed Him and felt guilt and shame even with the fig leaves they had made for themselves. These leaves were their own effort to cover for their sin, an indication that all human efforts to atone for sin are ineffective and useless. They do not remove guilt or sin.
Now Adam did not take responsibility for what he had done but blamed Eve and God as God had given her to him, and Eve blamed the serpent. Here they lied to God’s face so brazenly for the truth was that before they ate they still could have refused because they really did know better.
And yet this shows how, when we sin, we often shift blame and refuse to admit our guilt, or try to. Yet no excuses can remove the guilt of sin. The Lord condemns without exception or excuse; there are no special circumstances. And yet the Lord extends mercy by sending a Savior who atoned for all sin and restored full fellowship of man to God. This mercy is offered to all without exception as long as they are willing to admit their need for it and stop pretending they can do without God’s help.
516-931-2225
[email protected]
