A closer look at the interaction between God, man, and the serpent documented in Genesis 2-3. This is strictly a paraphrase meant to communicate the reality of what actually occurred when man was deceived into thinking he could live without God.
God: You have freedom to eat from ANY tree here in the garden, but there is ONE tree I do not want you to eat from, and [WARNING] if you eat from that [ONE] tree you will separate yourself [1] from Me forever.
The deceiver comments…
Serpent: Now the serpent who was more deceitful than anything man had encountered to this point said, “…did God tell you that you should not eat from [ANY] tree of the garden?”
Commentary – The serpent accuses God of limiting man’s freedom, taking away his happiness and fun, letting man know there is more than one way to look at life. It is important to recognize that God created man with freedom to choose. Bad things happen in the world today not because of God’s doings, rather because of man’s original decision.
Man: [2] God gave us freedom to eat from [ANY] of the trees in the garden, but there is one tree that we are not supposed to eat from, or touch, otherwise we will separate ourselves from Him forever.
Commentary – What the serpent failed to communicate was that man’s freedom was in jeopardy.
Serpent: [dogmatically], You will NOT be separated from Him [trust me], God knows that in the day you opt to eat from that tree you will be just like Him, knowing everything both good and bad. [you want the whole story, don’t you?]. Don’t you want to be just like God?
Commentary – when man envisioned that such a decision would change his vision of life to high definition, and that he would become smarter and wiser than those around him, he seized the opportunity. No doubt, that opportunity would include wealth and power and superiority. Just think of how that reality is playing out today in our world!
Resultant outcome – BIG MISTAKE! Man WAS separated from God.
Man: Quick, do something…
I’m scared…
Hide…
Grab that material…
Cobble together some clothes to wear…
Let’s look presentable…
Sit up straight, God is coming…
Man was now scrambling to make himself presentable to God [RELIGION].
The story continues…
God: Why on earth are you hiding?
And what are you hiding from?
And where did you get those hideous outfits?
Man: It’s all your fault God…
I was deceived…
Commentary – man’s efforts would never reunite him to God. Instead, God had to provide the way for mankind to be reconciled from the broken relationship documented in Genesis chapter three. Religion cannot mend the fence between man and God. Only God can do that!
God gives…
Man receives….
That is GRACE…
God: Here, put on these clothes I made for you. Unfortunately, an innocent animal had to die in order to get these garments for you.
A substitute took the penalty for you…
A substitute paid the cost for you…
The Substitute is Jesus Christ who died on the cross for all mankind…
Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Don’t be deceived into thinking you can, in any way, merit salvation!
Titus 3:5 “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us…”
The choices are clear: Eternal Life or the Wrath of God.
John 3:36 “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
Salvation is simple!
Acts 16:31 “…Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved…”
[1] Separate yourself = Spiritual death, separated from God and helpless to do anything about it (apart from God’s help).
[2] I am using the term man as “mankind”. I am not distinguishing between man and woman.