EVERYBODY FELL DOWN, BUT EVERYBODY CAN CHOOSE TO GET BACK UP AGAIN!

 THE FALL

“…of every tree of the garden THOU MAYEST FREELY EAT: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou  SHALT NOT EAT of it; for in THE DAY THAT THOU EATEST thereof THOU SHALT SURELY DIE…” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV).

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The Jewish account of “The Fall” is traditionally known as the “original sin.” Original sin is basically the VERY first sin EVER.

The fall is NOT just about the fall “into” original sin for Adam and Eve, but the fall into perpetual sin for ALL mankind It is also a fall “AWAY” from the VERY intimate relationship with God.

Before the fall, God said, “….let us make man in our image, after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV).  “…..God created man in his own image…..male and female created he them…” (Genesis 1:27 KJV). “….God formed man of the dust of the ground (BODY), and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (SPIRIT); and man became a living soul (SOUL)…” (Genesis 2:7 KJV). When “….God saw every thing he had made……and, [said] … it was VERY GOOD…” (Genesis 1:31 KJV).

 “… It was very good….” However, after the fall God’s “very good” creation was NOT so good any more.  The bible tells us, “… ONE sinner (through the FALL) DESTROY[ed]… MUCH GOOD…” (Ecclesiastes 9:18 NASB). God had one request for Adam and that was NOT to eat of “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”

The REQUEST: “…of every tree of the garden THOU MAYEST FREELY EAT: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou  SHALT NOT EAT of it; for in THE DAY THAT THOU EATEST thereof THOU SHALT SURELY DIE…” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV).

 God created Eve from Adam’s rib. “…Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” So the Lord God formed from the ground all the wild animals …But still there was no helper just right for him (Adam). So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. While the man slept, the Lord God took out one of the man’s ribs and closed up the opening. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib, and he brought her to the man…” (Genesis 2:18:25 NLT).

One day, the shrew serpent beguiled Eve.  “…The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’” “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. At that moment their eyes were opened…” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT).

The serpent twisted the truth with a LIE. What did God actually say? “…THE DAY THAT THOU EATEST thereof THOU SHALT SURELY DIE…” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV). “…You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman…” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT).

 “….So she took some of the fruit and ATE IT. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and HE ATE IT, too…At that moment their eyes were opened…” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT).

THE FALL or the beginning of humanity’s domination by sin and spiritual separation from God’s HOLY presence had begun. Adam and Eve were “…separated from the “LIFE” of God…” (Ephesians 4:18 NIV). “…It is the SPIRIT who gives “LIFE”; the flesh profits nothing…” (John 6:63 NASB). “… [their] … iniquities (sin) …separated [them]… from God… …” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV).

The FALL is called the Original Sin. The Original Sin was, in essence, the FALL “AWAY” from God, which is absolute Spiritual DEATH. “…Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:  But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it BRINGETH FORTH SIN: and sin, when it is finished, BRINGETH FORTH DEATH…” (James 1:13-15 NLT).

“…the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise…” (Genesis 3:6 NLT). “…through one man SIN entered into the world, and DEATH THROUGH SIN, and so death passed to all men—“(Romans 5:12 KJV).

“…At that moment their eyes were opened…” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT). “…they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” He replied, “I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.”  “Who told you that you were naked?” the Lord God asked. “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?” The man replied, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.” Then the Lord God asked the woman, “What have you done?” “The serpent deceived me,” she replied. “That’s why I ate it...” (Genesis 3:7-13 NLT).

“…When lust hath conceived, it BRINGETH FORTH SIN: and SIN when it is finished, BRINGETH FORTH DEATH…” (James 1:13-15 NLT). Adam and Eve experienced the death of innocence. They became conscious of guilt from breaking God’s commandment.

In addition, they experienced shame or disgrace instead of a healthy pride or honor of self. They became aware of physical nakedness as a result of losing their spiritual covering or protection. “…Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou… Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and [holy]…BEAUTY …” (Job 40:9-10 KJV). They were “…DEAD in trespasses and sin” (Ephesians 2:1 KJV). AND “….apart from … [God’s Holy Spirit], [they could]… do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).

Further, they hid from God instead of maintaining an open relationship with Him. They were afraid of God instead of continuing and enjoying a peaceful connection with Him. “…God asked the woman, “What have you done?” (Genesis 3:7-13 NLT). “… ONE sinner (through the FALL) destroy[ed]… MUCH GOOD…” (Ecclesiastes 9:18 NASB).

“….God formed man of the dust of the ground (BODY), and breathed into his nostrils the BREATH OF LIFE (HOLY SPIRIT); and man became a living soul (SOUL)…” (Genesis 2:7 KJV). They were once a LIVING soul through the Holy Spirit, but was now awakened to both holiness (good) and sin (evil), yet spiritually DEAD. The price for their CHOICE was THE FALL “away” from God and his HOLY LIFE.

Adam and Eve were “…separated from the LIFE of God…” (Ephesians 4:18 NIV). “…It is the SPIRIT who gives LIFE; the flesh profits nothing…” (John 6:63 NASB). “… [their] … iniquities (sin) …separated [them]… from God… …” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV).

It is traditional to view the serpent and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil as representatives of evil. The job of the representatives of evil is to deceive mankind and destroy the relationship they have with God.

However, the representatives of evil also initiated the first appearance of MAN’S will. “… I have set before you LIFE and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose LIFE, that both thou and thy seed may LIVE…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). “…The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who CHOOSE that way. …” (Matthew 7:13-14 NLT).

This inability to CHOOSE HOLY LIFE has been man’s failure throughout history and to this very day. “The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right (choose life), but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.  And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right (choose life), but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. …I [am] …a slave to the sin that is … within me. Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

Mankind’s perpetual inability to CHOOSE HOLY LIFE is because “…It is the SPIRIT who gives LIFE…” (John 6:63 NASB). The disconnection from God resulted in an inability to be in a spiritual relationship with God. “… [their] … iniquities (sin) …separated [them]… from God… …” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV).

The fall was a reduction from and marring of man’s original God-given image provided in the Garden-of-Eden creation. It was also a TOTAL separation from God’s Holy Spirit. “…All have sinned and fallen SHORT of the GLORY of God…” (Romans 3:23).

God’s glory includes all of his abundant goodness and the essence of ALL that HE is. Moses in Exodus asked about God’s glory.  “… [So when] Moses said, “Now show me your glory.” …The Lord said, “I will cause ALL MY GOODNESS to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. …” (Exodus 33:16-23 NIV). “…there is none like unto thee…” (Jeremiah 10:6 KJV). “…All have …fallen short of the GLORY of God…” (Romans 3:23).

God’s “…radiance [from his Holy Spirit]… is like the sunlight…” (Habakkuk 3:4.NASB). Jesus, “…the Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being…” (Hebrews 1:3 KJV). “…All [humanity]… have …fallen short of the GLORY of God…” (Romans 3:23).

God is “…majestic in holiness…” (Exodus 15:11 KJV “… “…behold the BEAUTY of the Lord…” (Psalms 27:4 KJV). “…The Lord made the heavens. Honour and majesty are before him: strength and BEAUTY are in his sanctuary…” (Psalms 96:5-6 KJV). “…O worship the Lord in the BEAUTY of [his]…holiness…” (Psalms 96:9 KJV).

Did God create evil? YES. “I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things” (Isaiah 45:7 KJV). Evil is not necessarily a person or thing or something tangible; it is the absence of God. Just like darkness is the absence of light and cold is the absence of heat. Evil is the absence of God.

At one time, Adam and Eve lived in the presence of God until they choose independently against God’s way. God takes full responsibility for creating evil since he created MANKIND and human WILL.

God’s command: “…THE DAY THAT THOU EATEST thereof THOU SHALT SURELY DIE…” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV).

Adam and Eve’s choice: “….So she took some of the fruit and ATE IT. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and HE ATE IT, too …” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT). “…THE WORDS THAT I SPEAK unto you, they ARE SPIRIT, and they ARE LIFE…” (John 6:63 KJV). “… I have set before you LIFE and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose LIFE…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV).

God created mankind with the complete freedom to exercise human will. The consequences of their choices distanced them from God’s presence. “… [their] … iniquities (sin) …separated (distanced) [them]… from God… …” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). The absence of light is darkness; the absence of God is evil. “… I …create evil…” (Isaiah 45:7 KJV).

Evil is the absence of God. If God is not present, it CREATES an atmosphere of evil. “…I… create evil: I the Lord do all these things” (Isaiah 45:7 KJV). “… [their] … iniquities (sin) …separated (distanced) [them]… from God… …” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV).

When my father died, his absence CREATED a void in my life. When my son grew up and went off to college, his absence CREATED an empty space in my life. When my best friend got married and moved to another state, her absence CREATED a vacuum. The absence of one thing creates the presence of another.

If God, who is LIFE and GOODNESS, is not presence; it CREATES DEATH and EVIL. “…I… create evil: I the Lord do all these things…” (Isaiah 45:7 KJV).

God created man in his image. Image is supposed to be a carbon copy. “….let us make man in our image, after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV). “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being (image)…” (Hebrews 1:3 KJV).

God “…does whatever pleases him” (Psalms 115:3 NIV). “… [God]… does as he pleases… No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?” (Daniel 4 NLT). “…Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish…” (Isaiah 46: 9-10 NLT). “….let us make man … after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV).

God made mankind after his likeness. God has sovereign will and he gave mankind human will. “….let us make man … after our LIKENESS…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV).

Mankind had to be able to make choices and decisions in order to have dominion over God’s creation and to be LIKE God. “…And God said …let them have DOMINION over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. ….And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have DOMINION over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth….” (Genesis 1:26-28 KJV).

Adam made multiple choices before “THE FALL.” “…The Lord God formed from the ground all the wild animals and all the birds of the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would call them, and the man “CHOSE” A NAME for each one. He gave names to all the livestock, all the birds of the sky, and all the wild animals. …..She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken from ‘man…” (Genesis 2:19-20, 23 NLT).

Part of being created in God’s image was the ability to make choices. The ability to make choices, however, becomes challenging when you have too many options. The same ability to make choices is available to the 21^st century generations. “… I have set before you LIFE and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose LIFE…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). “…THE WORDS THAT I SPEAK unto you, they ARE SPIRIT, and they ARE LIFE…” (John 6:63 KJV).

God’s command had two options: Don’t eat and continue in God’s blessings or eat and experience the consequences, which is the discontinuation of or separation of his presence. “…THE DAY THAT THOU EATEST thereof THOU SHALT SURELY DIE…” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV). “…THE WORDS THAT I SPEAK unto you, they ARE SPIRIT, and they ARE LIFE…” (John 6:63 KJV).

Adam and Eve willfully picked between the two choices. “….So she took some of the fruit and ATE IT. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and HE ATE IT, too …” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT). “…THE WORDS THAT I SPEAK unto you, they ARE SPIRIT, and they ARE LIFE…” (John 6:63 KJV). “… I have set before you LIFE and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose LIFE…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV).

Yes, God could have made you a robot and he could have FORCED you to choose ONLY what he wanted, but he said “….let us make man … after our LIKENESS…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV).  “… I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV).

Mankind often judge God when their choices result in atmospheres of death and evil, yet his absence in their lives, families, communities, and societies is of their very own choosing.

  In the Old Testament, when “…there was no king in Israel (like God, the King of kings): every man did that which was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25 KJV)

Satan was kicked out of heaven because he made a choice to do what HE wanted to do. “How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! …For you said to yourself, ‘I will (I choose)…” (Isaiah 14:12-15 NLT).

“How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world. For you said to yourself, ‘I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north. I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.’ Instead, you will be brought down to the place of the dead, down to its lowest depths” (Isaiah 14:12-15 NLT).

Satan, “the shining star, son of the morning” was cast out of heaven away from the presence of God (Revelation 12:4, 9; Luke 10:18; Isaiah 14:12). Satan made his choice and said: “… [I choose to]…climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High…’ ” (Isaiah 14:12-15 NLT).

When God said “….let us make man … after our LIKENESS…” the POTENTIAL for evil pointed to the ability of mankind to CHOOSE (Genesis 1:26 KJV). “…therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). Instead, “…through one man sin entered into the world, and DEATH through sin, and so DEATH passed to all men—“(Romans 5:12 KJV).

Once you have raised your children and they become adults, the POTENTIAL for an evil life verses a good life rests on their ability to make decent, equitable, sound, and ethical choices. “ … the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these …” (Galatians 5:20-22  NASB).

“….For from WITHIN, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder,  adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful DESIRES (emotions, passions), envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from WITHIN; they are what defile you…” The people in these verses were raised by some parent and grew up to make these kinds of choices.

Go ahead and judge God for creating mankind with human will and the freedom to make choices. Go ahead and judge God for not making you a robot and forcing you to do as he wants. Instead, God said “….let us make man … after our LIKENESS…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV).

In the meantime, don’t forget to judge yourself and your own personal choices.  Wherever God is absence in your life, family community, or society all that is left is the atmosphere of and potential for death and evil. Therefore, “…EXAMINE YOURSELVES, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, EXCEPT YE BE REPROBATES (sinners too)?” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV).