Detox for the soul #4

April 23, 2020

Today is Thursday. That’s the day after Wednesday and the day before Friday, if anyone is still tracking time.

We know the toxin and can set our guard. John summarized it, “For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.” [1 John 2:16 NLT] But how to we detox from all the guilt, judgement, and condemnation we have earned? I am so glad you asked!!!

Let’s start with a promise. The verse has been called the “proto-evangelical.” God promised, “And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.” [Genesis 3:15 NLT] Notice the hostility is between the devil and the woman and their respective offspring. There has been only one offspring of a woman, Jesus born of a virgin. When Jesus died on the cross, it seemed as if the snake had struck its blow. When Jesus rose from the dead, He crushed Satan. The devil no longer has power over those he enslaves through sin. There is no more fear of death for those who are in Christ.

Let’s look at a sacrifice. Adam and Eve tried, unsuccessfully, to cover the cause of their shame. In other words, humans can never cover their guilt. “And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife.” [Genesis 3:21 NLT] This is the first time they saw death. This sacrifice of one life to cover for another set the legal precedent for the “blood sacrifice.”   The need for a blood sacrifice is stated, “…and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” [Hebrews 9:22b ESV] BECAUSE the consequence of sin is death (physical and spiritual) then the forgiveness of sin would also be death (the blood of Jesus).

Let’s consider a blessing. Adam and Eve were then driven out of the garden. This is were the story of forgiveness and redemption begins, “So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden…” [Genesis 3:23a NLT, NIV, etc.] It seem strange to think of being banished from paradise as a mercy intended to set our feet on the right path. Yet there is one special detail to note in the next verse, “He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.” [Genesis 3:24 ESV] Death provides a buffer to the unhindered expansion of evil.

The good news is, in Christ, this tree is not permanently lost to humanity. We are invited to have access, “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God.” [Revelation 2:7 NLT] The need for such a tree (or trees, see Revelation 22:2) indicates the believer’s life, health, and healing comes from the continual provision of God. This is foreshadowed by the grace given to us on another tree where Jesus died. This grace is continual nourishment to the soul.