Love God Greatly: In the BeginningSample

The man and the woman ate from the tree in the orchard. They were separated from God because of their sin. They were immediately aware of their nakedness and hid in shame. The relationship between God and humanity changed. The man and the woman could no longer be in the presence of God because they had sinned. 

While the man and woman had both sinned, each tried to shift blame to another. The man tried to shift blame to the woman. The woman tried to shift blame to the serpent. The reality was, they both had sinned. They were both equally responsible for their actions and they both received a punishment. 

Yet even when explaining the punishment they would receive, God promised to redeem the man and the woman to a right relationship with Him. God promised that even though the serpent and his offspring may try to attack the woman and her offspring, he would fail. God promised that the offspring of the woman (who ultimately is Jesus) would crush the head of the serpent. 

Even in the midst of punishment, God promised redemption. With every command God gave to His people, their sin increased. Yet as sin increased, grace multiplied all the more. God planned redemption even before our transgression. Grace reigns in the midst of all our faults, even those that seem beyond redemption. Grace reigns through the righteousness of Jesus Christ. God orchestrated the redemption of humanity even before we began to sin. God showers us with His grace, even now, no matter our sin. Praise Him!

Prayer:

God, You alone are good. I am beyond humbled that You would plan redemption for me even before I sinned. You shower me with Your grace each and every day. You alone are worthy of praise. Let my life be a reflection of Your grace and redemption. Amen.