Returning to the Way Things Were?

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Dear Fellow Travelers,

          What is this mystery of His will that He has made known, at least to some? Kelly from California wins the prize! It is the mystery of redemption, of course. The long-standing mystery as to how we can be restored to right relationship with God, of how we can return to the way things were before the fall—perfect.

          As you remember, before the fall, Adam & Eve enjoyed a perfect relationship with God—no sin, no guilt, no shame, no fear, no secrets. In fact, the place in which they lived was also perfect—perfect climate, perfect food, no drought, no plagues, no sickness, no death.

          As you also remember, this perfect situation had one contingency—avoid the tree of the knowledge of good and evil at all costs. All it would take was this one act of disobedience, and the “perfect” would become “imperfect.” Sadly, that one act of disobedience occurred and, well, you know the story.

          My point is this: redemption must be more than returning to the way things were before the fall! If the success of God’s plan of redemption is in any way dependent upon our obedience, if living in right relationship with God depends upon us in any way whatsoever, we are doomed even before we begin.

          To be sure, we must nurture the relationship, if we have any plans to enjoy it, but heaven help us, if our disobedience can destroy it.

          You think about that—

         

         

"This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent" (John 6:29 NASB).