outside the Garden

therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken.

Genesis 3:23

All the worst events in human history, all the wars, genocides, murders, and fall of kingdoms have their origin in the expulsion from paradise. Adam’s choice to disobey God’s one command brought all these consequences. Sin brought a break in fellowship with God. It brought an end to life in the Garden of Eden planted by God. It led to Adam being forced to work his own garden in the ground outside the Garden, never to return to what God had originally planned for him.

Sin and self are horrible masters. The human heart needs a Lord, a Master, a controlling influence. And under Jesus we regain some of what was lost at Eden. Sin is forgiven, though we still walk outside the Garden. Hope is restored as we know we will be in paradise with Him. A future glory awaits where Jesus shall reign in perfect glory in a world where He walks among us and curse of sin has been lifted. He lives in us now leading us beyond the worst of the curse, having lifted the worst that death and hell would bring to our souls. We can safely walk with God as disciples of Jesus.

Lord Jesus,

Today I go “to work the ground from which I was taken”. And I will feel the weight of sin’s curse at times. But Jesus, I know You died to take my punishment and You rose to bring new life to reverse the curse. I will believe and trust in You to have perspective beyond all the pain sin brings. The joy of the gospel... the joy to the Lord is my strength.

Amen