As we move into Genesis 4, we read that Adam and Eve got on with their lives after the cataclysmic events surrounding their Fall from grace:
Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, “With the help of the Lord I have brought forth a man.” Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil (Genesis 4:1-2).
Before we proceed, let's consider what has happened so far and their implications. We looked at five concepts present in these first three chapters of the Bible:
- We saw that Adam and Eve had direct fellowship with God who spoke with them face to face.
- God directed their work in accord with His desire that they multiply and have dominion over the earth, which was their purpose.
- While God directed their work, Adam and Eve injected their creativity into the mix.
- Eve was created to work alongside Adam and form a creative and purposeful team.
- The first family was to rest on the seventh day, not because they were exhausted but so they could refocus and enjoy the fruit of their labors.
Then our parents sinned and each aspect was impacted by sin but not totally eliminated. They were still expected to be purposeful, have fellowship with their Maker, be a creative team, and rest. As time went on, each aspect became more complicated and difficult to carry out until they were totally obscured or buried under centuries of sin residue.
The good news is that Jesus came not only to restore our fellowship with God, but also restore God's intent of how things were to be before the Fall. In other words, Jesus came to restore our ability to be purposeful, creative, work in teams, and truly rest from our own works (and that is not to lie on a hammock and do nothing):
And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross (Colossians 1:18-20, emphasis added).
Have you ever given any thought to the fact that Jesus, who is the second Adam (see Romans 5:12-21), came to restore the Garden scenario in our lives? Are you allowing Christ to reconcile, restore, and activate every aspect of your being, or are you only expecting spiritual and not purpose restoration? Are you actively seeking to understand your God-given purpose and creativity? Do you realize that your limitations require you to work in a team setting, whether in a family, ministry, or work setting, relying on other's strengths while you contribute yours? Are you resting in your work as you enjoy your fruit and the fact that you are doing God's will right where you are?
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