Unlearning Tradition, Relearning Scripture

Tag: Genesis 8:21-22

  • Priceless!

    Many people blame God when life becomes difficult, asking questions like, “Why did God allow this to happen?” Is God really uncaring? Did He create a miserable life for us?

    In the beginning, God created man, provided him with a suitable partner, and placed them in His garden. However, there was a condition: they were forbidden from eating the fruit from a particular tree. But Adam, humanity’s representative before God, chose to disobey the covenant. Consequently, troubles have plagued humanity ever since.

    The Bible recounts the first murder following their banishment from the garden and mentions how, as human populations grew, God observed their persistent wickedness. It states, “Every intention of the thoughts of man’s heart was only evil continually.” This contradicts the very intention of God in creation, as evident in Genesis 1:3-31, where each day of God’s work is described as good or very good.

    So, is it really God’s fault that humanity is in such a fallen state? Isn’t it rather a result of humanity’s own choices to reject God and His goodness?

    Despite humanity’s rebellion, God allows people to live until their physical lives come to an end. Only then does God take back the source of life from them. Ecclesiastes 12:7 states, “The dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.”

    God alone is the source of life. When humanity attempts to govern itself, it faces the consequences of separation from God. He warned Adam, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree in the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it, you shall surely die” (Genesis 2:16-17). Adam’s spiritual or covenant death was a result of breaking that covenant. God does not revoke what He has given—the breath of life—until the physical body expires. Although God intended for humanity to live forever, as shown by the presence of the tree of life in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden because they lost their right to eternal life.

    God always provides for us. He reversed the curse on the ground that had made it unproductive due to Adam’s sin, as described in Genesis 3:16-19. However, this promise came after He had judged the world with the flood during Noah’s time. The LORD stated, “I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done. While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night shall not cease” (Genesis 8:21-22).

    Remarkably, even after Adam’s curse, God’s purpose in creating humanity in His image remains unchanged. He promised the Seed of the woman. Hence, the Scriptures proclaim, “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4-5).

    This promise is not limited to those under the Mosaic Law but extends to everyone who believes in Jesus Christ. As Galatians 3:24-28 states, “So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, neither slave nor free, nor male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

    In the beginning, God nurtured Adam and Eve in the garden, even after their expulsion from it. Scripture states that God made garments of skins and clothed them. Similarly, He cared for the Israelites during their time in the wilderness. God regarded Israel as a special nation among the nations until they rejected Christ Jesus. However, He was not surprised by Israel’s rejection of Him; it had been prophesied. In Genesis 3:15, God declared, “I will put enmity between you (the serpent) and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” Christ Jesus was the promised offspring of the woman. In contrast, Old Covenant Israel is described as the offspring of the devil, as seen in John 8:44-45. Jesus addressed the unbelieving Jews, saying, “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me.”

    John the Baptist had the same description for the unbelieving Jews, see Matthew 3:7, “But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, ‘You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?’”

    With the arrival of Christ Jesus, God extends His care to all who believe in Him, offering the gift of eternal life. All we need to do is believe and trust in God’s goodness. As Paul states in Romans, “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:31-32).

    Life in this world will not always be trouble-free. Everything tangible and physical is subject to corruption and decay. The Christian life is rooted in the spiritual, even as we live in the flesh. We are called to salvation and yet remain here on Earth because it is our mission to share the Gospel of Christ with others. This calling is not limited to being a missionary; it involves being part of God’s work and living accordingly. That is the true essence of Christianity. Therefore, let us cultivate a legacy of sharing the message of Jesus and His Gospel, so that others might also join us in eternal life.

    I urge all Christians to refrain from dividing ourselves over doctrinal differences. Let us humbly embrace the true teachings of the Bible and strive for unity in faith. Paul clearly states in Ephesians that Christianity comprises one body and one Spirit. We are called by one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father of all (Ephesians 4:4-6).

    Understand the parables of Jesus: “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.’” (Matthew 13:44-46)

    The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only gift that anyone can carry into eternity—God’s kingdom. Jesus proclaimed that the kingdom of heaven is here (Luke 17:20-21). We should learn from the Bible to understand that there is nothing more valuable than discovering God’s kingdom. It is truly priceless!

    Peter, in the words of Acts 3:6, declared, “I possess neither silver nor gold, but in the name of Jesus Christ, I offer you what I have.” Share this article freely, for you freely receive. Take note, underlines and highlights are clickable links for definitions or Bible references. Stay updated by heading to our about page and subscribe directly to receive notifications in your inbox. Blessing!

  • Day or Night

    Verse of the day taken from Bible.com. Our circumstances do not separate us from God; rather, it is the absence of faith and trust in Him. In fact, God remains faithful even when people are faithless (2 Timothy 2:13).

    The verse highlights a significant point: God will always be faithful. Because He is good, He will continue to provide for our needs. After the flood, God made a covenant with Noah, who represents humanity before God after Adam. In Genesis 8:21-22, God says, “I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done. While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night shall not cease.”

    God will always stay true to His Word and promises. Therefore, we should ask: “Why is it being taught that God will destroy not only the Earth but also heaven itself with the return of Christ Jesus?”

    In Isaiah 66:1, Scripture states, “Thus says the LORD: “Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool; what is the house that you would build for Me, and what is the place of My rest?” Think again, what has been taught and held as Christian beliefs? Would God truly destroy heaven, His throne, and Earth, His reign?

    Let us take a moment to reflect on the verse of the day: “The Lord is close to all who call on Him, yes, to all who call on Him in truth” (Psalm 145:18 NLT). The key phrase here is “to all who call on Him in truth.” God’s righteousness is closely connected to His truth, and He does not tolerate hypocrisy. He calls everyone to worship and follow Him in truth and spirit (John 4:24). Therefore, no one can genuinely claim faith in God or Jesus Christ without adhering to His truth.

    Scripture teaches us: “Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only for a moment. Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan for peace find joy. No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble. Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are His delight” (Proverbs 12:19-22).

    Years ago, I bumped into a predecessor in pastoral ministry who shared a troubling story with me. He spoke of a person notorious for working against pastors who do not yield to his demands. This individual called him, asking the pastor to share the faith with a gravely ill deaconess—a woman known to both of us as a passive supporter of his malicious ways.

    I hope I am mistaken, but can you understand the mindset of the person who made this request? He is notorious for creating problems for pastors whenever it benefits him. To my knowledge, he has done this at least three times, but there may be many more instances in the past that we are unaware of. He seems to believe he can deceive God and evade justice, perhaps thinking he can emulate the grace shown to the thief on the cross; you can refer to Luke 23:39-43 if you’re not familiar with the story. He may be hoping that, at the last moment, he and those like him can confess their sins and escape the consequences of their actions.

    However, Scripture warns us: “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” (Galatians 6:7-8)

    Christians, faith, and truth cannot be separated. Conniving together for evil works against the righteous for whatever earthly benefit would never be tolerated by God. Because God is righteous and true. Let’s evaluate our ways to see if we indeed have called on God in truth?

    There is no such thing as half-truth. It’s either truth or a lie. We Christians are called to renounce our worldly ways. How then can anyone justify deceit and yet claim faith in Jesus Christ?

    Concerning life, Jesus Christ teaches, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore, whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops. ‘I tell you, My friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear Him who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.’” (Luke 12:1-7)

    The Christian walk is not a journey in compromises. Nothing we did in darkness is kept from God. Rather, we are called to walk the faith. The Bible says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would draw near to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

    Reflect carefully about your confession and faith. Only a truthful confession of faith counts with God. Hence, the Christian life will always be challenging. Anyone who claims to be a Christian and yet involves themselves in lies better wake up. For God’s omniscience sees through our hearts and minds. Let us therefore walk the talk.

    The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Thessalonian Christians, said: “But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.” (1 Thessalonians 5:4-5)

    We belong either to the day or night. There’s no middle ground. God cannot be deceived. We can always rely on His righteousness and grace.

    Peter, in the words of Acts 3:6, declared, “I possess neither silver nor gold, but in the name of Jesus Christ, I offer you what I have.” Share this article freely, for you freely receive. Take note, underlines and highlights are clickable links for definitions or Bible references. Stay updated by heading to our about page and subscribe directly to receive notifications in your inbox. Blessing!