God's creation of man gives God his authority over man. God is eternal and omnipotent. Man is finite and his understanding is limited. God made you, God owns you. God formed Adam from the dust of the earth and breathed life into his nostrils. God had the right to give Adam his purpose and set his boundaries.
"For by him all things were created, both in the Heavens and on the earth, both visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities, all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things and in him all things hold together."
Colossians 1:16-17
Adam and Eve, however, were not satisfied with this hierarchy of power. They ate of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil in order to become like God. Eating the fruit of this tree broke the one law God had established in the Garden of Eden. The consequence of the original sin was death. God cast Adam and Eve out of the garden so that they would not eat of the tree of life and live forever.
Common understanding would say that because God is holy and he cannot be with unholy man, he cast them out of his presence and out of the garden. However, scripture later shows that God walked in close relationship and manifested his presence with many men long after Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden (Cain, Abel, and Enoch were all accustomed to the presence of God). God's judgment on Adam and Eve was an act of mercy. If they had eaten the fruit of Tree of Life after their sin they would have lived forever in their fallen, sinful state, and never escaped this life to live glorified with God in Heaven. Think about not only the pain, weakness, and sickness of the fallen human body, but consider all of the mass murderers and rapists and those who've committed atrocities against humanity living forever on the earth? Death was an act of God's mercy on mankind.
The consequences of Adam's sin were far reaching. Romans 5:12 says, "...just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, so death spread to all men - for all have sinned." Sin entered the world through Adam and penetrated the hearts of all men to follow. All men have rebelled against the purpose and parameters set up by our creator God.
Matt, this is a great post and I’ve enjoyed thinking about it. I love the reference to Colossians 1 and the reminder at the end of how Adam’s fall affects all of us.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting thought about death being an act of God’s mercy, but I’m not completely sure I’m tracking with you. I’m not saying that I’m convinced that you’re wrong, but I’m not persuaded that death is an act of mercy.
If Christ conquered of death on the cross, would he then be reversing a blessing? What about Romans 6:23? It seems like death is a consequence of sin and that eternal life, through Christ, is the answer to this consequence.
But, maybe you’re right. It may fall under the category of God’s “common grace” towards man…meaning that life and people are not nearly as bad as they could be. If all things are under God’s sovereignty and working towards his glory, should we look to uncover His mercy in all things?
Thoughts?
~Drew
Thanks for the response, Drew. I guess I would probably say that, though death is an act of God's mercy, I wouldn't call it a blessing. Death is the wage for our sin, it's what our sin has earned us, and it's a terrible consequence. However, I think it's probably better than the alternative of living in a fallen state forever. Because God did not allow Adam and Eve to eat from the tree of life, eventually they died and were able to be restored to the glorified state (Heaven) that God originally intended. Death is a terrible way to break free from the curse, but only a merciful God would not only provide any hope of freedom, but pay our ransom for us. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteMatt
You make some really good points. To be honest, I've never thought about the possibility of living in a fallen state forever and I think you make a good point about Adam and Eve being able to enjoy the glorified state. In one of my seminary classes we were just discussing 1st Cor. 15 and how Adam was born sinless, but not glorified. It's amazing that God had a plan from the beginning to unite us to His Son through the cross and live in our resurrected glorified bodies. Amazing!
ReplyDeleteSo, you've convinced me and I see how death is an act of mercy for the believer, but is it an act of mercy for the non-believer? Before death, the non-Christian is able to enjoy the benefits of common grace, but after death he is separated from God. What do you think?
I think death was intended as an act of mercy for us all. Whether we receive the mercy or reject it is up to each one of us. I guess death for the unbeliever would be an exit from the common grace you talked about, and thus leave them excluded from God's grace completely. So I guess I would say, yes death for the unbeliever is still an act of mercy, but that mercy remains unreceived.
ReplyDelete