Surprised by Grace! (1 of 4)
Series: Snapshots of God's Grace
William Wyne
Genesis 3:21
I will not ask you to raise your hand or nod either in the affirmative or the negative in answer to any of these rhetorical questions. But consider the questions carefully and honestly.
How many of you would be willing, and eager, to help someone who just hurt you grievously? Who among us here would desire immediately to fine away to comfort, console someone who has just taken advantage of them, abused your trust, or carelessly acted against your direct orders?
Does the person that was wronged immediately look for ways to help the person who has done the wrong to them? Does the victim of a crime make sure charges are not filed against the person that violated them? If you are punched in the face, and that person that punched you hands are bruised and swelling, would you be the one to make sure to get some ice for that person sore knuckles?
Not likely is perhaps the overwhelming response to those rhetorical questions!
But over 6000 years ago, God did exactly that!
The Bible says the Lord made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothe them.
Adam and Eve had grievously hurt God, they had abused the trust he placed in them, and had disobeyed a direct order. They slapped God in his face and God turned the other cheek. God graciously ministered to the hand that punched him in the face! They had wronged God! They violated God, and God appears as if he decided not to press charges against him.
And God made coats of skin to clothed them!
Genesis chapter 3 conveys the story of the guilt of Adam and Eve. Genesis 3 gives us a clear picture of the fall of Adam and Eve. But I think the picture of Genesis 3 about the fall of Adam is not the big picture of the story. There is for me a bigger picture, a brighter lesson, and even more important principle than the fall of Adam.
Here is the lesson for me, and I pray that it will become one for you ...
Series: Snapshots of God's Grace
William Wyne
Genesis 3:21
I will not ask you to raise your hand or nod either in the affirmative or the negative in answer to any of these rhetorical questions. But consider the questions carefully and honestly.
How many of you would be willing, and eager, to help someone who just hurt you grievously? Who among us here would desire immediately to fine away to comfort, console someone who has just taken advantage of them, abused your trust, or carelessly acted against your direct orders?
Does the person that was wronged immediately look for ways to help the person who has done the wrong to them? Does the victim of a crime make sure charges are not filed against the person that violated them? If you are punched in the face, and that person that punched you hands are bruised and swelling, would you be the one to make sure to get some ice for that person sore knuckles?
Not likely is perhaps the overwhelming response to those rhetorical questions!
But over 6000 years ago, God did exactly that!
The Bible says the Lord made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothe them.
Adam and Eve had grievously hurt God, they had abused the trust he placed in them, and had disobeyed a direct order. They slapped God in his face and God turned the other cheek. God graciously ministered to the hand that punched him in the face! They had wronged God! They violated God, and God appears as if he decided not to press charges against him.
And God made coats of skin to clothed them!
Genesis chapter 3 conveys the story of the guilt of Adam and Eve. Genesis 3 gives us a clear picture of the fall of Adam and Eve. But I think the picture of Genesis 3 about the fall of Adam is not the big picture of the story. There is for me a bigger picture, a brighter lesson, and even more important principle than the fall of Adam.
Here is the lesson for me, and I pray that it will become one for you ...
There are 8553 characters in the full content. This excerpt only shows a 2000 character sample of the full content.
Price: $5.99 or 1 credit
