Redemption’s story

In the beginning….

God created the heavens and the earth.

Lights.

Galaxies.

Water.

Animals.

Trees, fruits, herbs.

Rocks, hills, mountains.

And all that ever was created.

And then He created man and woman (because He saw that it was not good for man to be alone) in His own image and likeness. He blessed them and gave them grace to be fruitful and multiply, to replenish the earth and subdue it. He gave them dominion over every living thing on earth.

And God saw that everything He had made was good.

He lavished His love on Adam and Eve, and blessed them with His presence and fellowship. He would come to the garden just to commune with them.

*****

But there was this one creature intent on undoing this good thing God had done….

That old serpent, the devil ―

God had said to man, “You may eat of every tree in the garden of Eden, apart from this one tree, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, because on the day you eat of it, you would surely die”.

It was not a problem until the old serpent set to achieve a sinister purpose.

He approached the woman (the one who had not received the instruction directly from God) and he misrepresented God’s message ―

“Did God say you cannot eat of every tree in this garden?”

Her mistake? ― Stopping to discuss a subject she did not have a very good grasp on (and also, talking to scary strangers by yourself! A talking serpent? Really, woman!?!)

God never said they couldn’t touch the tree.

And so the devil deceived her.

And having eaten of the tree, she gave the fruit to her husband and he also ate.

*****

Where are you…?

And they died, not physically, but spiritually.

For spiritually, death is separation from God.

So when God came to commune with them like He had always done, they hid from Him. Their sin separated them from Him. And they were afraid.

“Where are you?” God asked Adam.

“I heard your voice and I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid myself”.

“Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree I commanded you not to eat of?”

Then came the infamous reply ―

“The woman you gave to me Lord, she made me do it!”

And then the woman blamed the serpent.

*****

Because you have done this….

God passed judgment.

For the serpent ―

…the seed of the woman would bruise the head of the serpent….

For the woman ―

…in sorrow she would bring forth children….

For the man ―

God cursed the ground for the man’s sake (because, who can bear it, if God curses a person?)

…in the sweat of your face you will eat bread until you return to the ground from where you were taken….

And then God clothed them, and drove them from the garden of Eden to keep them from hurting themselves more by eating of the tree of life (because, just think of how it would be, living endlessly with the current state of madness that pervades society today, with no hope of it ever getting better or coming to an end).

*****

And so began redemption’s story….

God was not through with man yet.

The old serpent might have tried to undo the good that God had done, but God was still in control.

He is still in control.

Just five chapters after we read the story of creation, we read in Genesis chapter 6 that God was sorry that He had made man.

Because ―

…the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

God decided He would destroy man.

But one man found grace in the eyes of the Lord ―

Noah.

The favour of God found Noah, a just and perfect man in an ungodly generation, and so began the plan to redeem man.

Noah would build an ark on dry ground. And then he, his wife, his three sons and their wives would get in the ark (along with all those animals!).

The majority is not always right ―

The world carried on with their business and continued, until Noah, his wife, his three sons and their wives entered the ark and God shut the ark by Himself.

Only eight people were saved.

*****

As it was in the days of Noah….

The world continued, and again wickedness grew on the earth.

So God chose a man, Abraham, and made of him a great nation. It was a process that tested Abraham and required sacrifices on his part, but he believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. We read in the Scriptures that Abraham was a friend of God.

Because of his faith, the nation of Israel was birthed, furthering God’s redemption plan for man.

It was in Israel that the seed of the woman bruised the head of the serpent.

It was in Israel that Jesus Christ was born, fulfilling prophecy and paying once and for all, the debt man owed ―

For the word of God remains ―

The soul that sinneth, it shall die….

Jesus Christ died, and God showed that the sacrifice was accepted, by raising Him up from the dead.

Jesus Christ has restored the fellowship and communion with God that man lost at the garden of Eden.

He is the only way back to God.

It is a story that has been told through the ages. The world has heard it, but what is their response?

The majority is not always right.

What is your response to redemption’s story?

Would you believe God today or follow the majority?

We have God’s word today ―

But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Matthew 24:37

Only eight people were saved in the then world.

*****

The story’s not finished yet….

Because we have God’s word that He’s coming back.

The King is coming back.

The world would stand before the righteous Judge, and one by one we would be required to give an account of our stewardship of the time we were blessed with on earth.

When our case is called up in Heaven, may we find an advocate in Jesus Christ.

When we are put on the scale, may we not be found wanting.

When the books are opened, may our names be found in the book of life, and our sins, blotted out by the precious blood of the Lamb.

When we stand before our Maker, may we hear the blessed words, “Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord”.

And may we earnestly contend for the truth in our generation, and share it.

Because ―

Who knows? Perhaps our faithfulness in our duty to share the truth we’ve found might save some lost soul from death ― eternal separation from God.

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18 thoughts on “Redemption’s story”

  1. It’s sad to think of all the good Satan undid in the garden, but then… redemption. God’s plan all along. This is such a picture of the holy week. The horrific crucifixion, but then… redemption. He is risen! He’s alive! Praise the Lord for His redeeming power over Satan, sin, and death!!! Thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements!

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  2. Hi Boma, I am rejoicing today because of God’s great plan of redemption and the atoning sacrafice of his son, Jesus Christ. Thank you for sharing over at Patricia’ link up. Happy Ressurection Day to you, friend.

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  3. This is a great summary of God’s redemption story. It’s amazing to reflect on, especially approaching Easter, and to think that we get to be a part of it.

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  4. I know that I won’t know this answer until I reach Heaven, but I have always wondered why God created us when He KNEW we would separate ourselves from Him. I don’t understand it, but I am glad He did it the way He did it! God bless you!

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