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"Out of the First Garden"
Expulsion or Evacuation?
Were Adam and Eve “kicked out” of the garden? I think that it is better understood as an evacuation from a toxic existence. The garden was no longer safe for them. It would have put mankind as an ongoing adversary with God and it would have put us eternally in a fallen setting.
The grace of evacuating us (via Adam and Eve) means that we can re-enter into a proper relationship with God and we will not be stuck in a hostile environment for eternity. Instead, we have an Advocate and an exit plan. The evacuation of Eden allows for a greater garden (heaven) awaiting us after a season between the gardens.
Reflections:
1. Sometimes God’s grace is experienced in what He does not let us do. Can you think of times in your life where grace was granted by God saying “No.”?
Expulsion or Evacuation?
Were Adam and Eve “kicked out” of the garden? I think that it is better understood as an evacuation from a toxic existence. The garden was no longer safe for them. It would have put mankind as an ongoing adversary with God and it would have put us eternally in a fallen setting.
The grace of evacuating us (via Adam and Eve) means that we can re-enter into a proper relationship with God and we will not be stuck in a hostile environment for eternity. Instead, we have an Advocate and an exit plan. The evacuation of Eden allows for a greater garden (heaven) awaiting us after a season between the gardens.
Reflections:
1. Sometimes God’s grace is experienced in what He does not let us do. Can you think of times in your life where grace was granted by God saying “No.”?
Scripture
About this Plan
Jesus taught us that to follow him, we must often live opposite to our culture; he turned the rules upside down. This 12 day devotional dives into what it means to live Upside Down in a kingdom that isn't definied by race, status, circumstance, gender, or geography, but by a love of Christ. Can we really live a life surrendered to the prayer "Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven"?
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