LIVING OUTSIDE OF THE GARDEN

LIVING OUTSIDE OF THE GARDEN

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

   Genesis [GW]  … Then the LORD God took the man [Adam] and put him in the Garden of Eden to farm the land and to take care of it. The LORD God commanded the man. He said, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden. But you must never eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil because when you eat from it, you will certainly die." Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper [Eve] who is right for him." … The man and his wife were both naked, but they weren't ashamed of it. … The snake was more clever than all the wild animals the LORD God had made. He asked the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must never eat the fruit of any tree in the garden'?" The woman answered the snake, "We're allowed to eat the fruit from any tree in the garden except the tree in the middle of the garden. God said, 'You must never eat it or touch it. If you do, you will die!'" "You certainly won't die!" the snake told the woman. "God knows that when you eat it your eyes will be opened. You'll be like God, knowing good and evil." … So she took some of the fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then their eyes were opened, and they both realized that they were naked. … [Please read the entire record in your personal Bible.]

   Ephesians 6:10-18a Finally, receive your power from the Lord and from his mighty strength. Put on all the armor that God supplies. In this way you can take a stand against the devil's strategies. This is not a wrestling match against a human opponent. We are wrestling with rulers, authorities, the powers who govern this world of darkness, and spiritual forces that control evil in the heavenly world. For this reason, take up all the armor that God supplies. Then you will be able to take a stand during these evil days. Once you have overcome all obstacles, you will be able to stand your ground. So then, take your stand! Fasten truth around your waist like a belt. Put on God's approval as your breastplate. Put on your shoes so that you are ready to spread the Good News that gives peace. In addition to all these, take the Christian faith as your shield. With it you can put out all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Also take salvation as your helmet and the word of God as the sword that the Spirit supplies. Pray in the Spirit in every situation. Use every kind of prayer and request there is. For the same reason be alert.

  Again much is in the news about sexual harassment in its various forms, including physical sex. This highlighting is rightly so, but will this time complete societal respect be the outcome? I say no.

  Prior to Eve, then Adam, not trusting God they didn’t even know they were naked. Equipped with their misbegotten knowledge of good and evil their eyes were opened to their exposure. Men and women ever since have been conflicted with at times wanting to see or be seen and not wanting to see or be seen. And like the first couple, lying about it.

  What is the remedy? Trusting God of course, in particular focusing on eternal purpose as others vigorously fought the good fight pleasing to Him. (Rom.12:1-3; Heb.11)

   Jesus explained “Your heart will be where your treasure is. The eye is the lamp of the body. So if your eye is unclouded, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. If the light in you is darkness, how dark it will be!“ (Mt.6:21-23; also note Lk.11:34)

  And Paul testified to, stating “I run to win that which Jesus Christ has already won for me. Brothers and sisters, I can't consider myself a winner yet. This is what I do: I don't look back, I lengthen my stride, and I run straight toward the goal to win the prize that God's heavenly call offers in Christ Jesus. Whoever has a mature faith should think this way. And if you think differently, God will show you how to think.

However, we should be guided by what we have learned so far. “ (Phil.3:13-16)

  So, what will our chosen wardrobe be this day and henceforth, fig leaves or the whole armor of God?

EBB4