God created man in His own image, pure and of free will. But our first parents, Adam and Eve misused this free will and followed their desires. Those created as man desired to be like God Himself. They fell prey to the snare laid down by Devil, were cursed and lost everything they had. As punishment, they were sent out of Eden. They lost their relationship with the Heavenly Father and it still continues. Three things need to be taken notice of:
1. Beware of temptations/traps: 1 Peter 5: 8, Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. If there are angels in heaven , there are devils lurking in every corner on earth. Angels guide us on the right path and devils take us on the wrong path. We all here two voices inside our head; one voice says that don’t do that, it’s wrong (inner conscience), and the second voice says it is alright since everyone does it (devil). 2 Peter 2:19, 19 They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them.” One who falls prey to the temptations of devil, becomes a slave to the devil. One can read about this in a book “Doctor Faustus” by Christopher Marlowe (PDF attached) Psalms 78: 1, 1 My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. These are the lamentations by our Heavenly Father for us. The teachings of our Lord and the word of God are our only shield against falling prey to temptations. So understand them well, remember them and follow them with your whole heart. Romans 13:9, 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,”and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” and in Romans 13:14, 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh. The Lord clearly has given us His commandments and also what He expects from us His children. The root cause and beginning of every sin is desire, and the sin by our first parents is an example. The Bible says in 1 John 3:8, 8 The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. The decision lies with us to make wise choice: whom do we select, Our Father or the Devil.
2. Admit your mistakes when you are wrong: 1 John 1: 8-9, 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. Adam and Eve hid themselves when the Heavenly Father called out to them in the garden of Eden. They were not willing to accept their mistakes before Him. They blamed each other for the mistakes. Adam said in Genesis 3:12-13, 12 The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” 13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
We also read in 2 Samuel 11:1 onward about David and Bathsheba, wherein we see the sin he commits succumbing to carnal desires. In 2 Samuel 12 :1 onward we read how prophet Nathan rebukes David through a story which was meant to make him understand his mistake. Understanding his mistake and its gravity, David wept in repentance and sought forgiveness from God. In his repentant ways he penned down Psalms 51, which begins with a cry of mercy and grace from the Father. The devil even dared to tempt the son of God, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Matthew 4, we read about Jesus being tested in wilderness. Jesus defeated him with the words of God. May the word of God be our weapon also.
3. God’s loving care and protection: Due to sin, our first parents who were as innocent as children, realized that they were naked. They made clothes for themselves out of leaves. Heavenly Father clothed them in the skin of an animal. The animal most probably must have been a lamb. This was the first sacrifice that took place. This was just the beginning to the plan Father had in mind to rescue us all through the sacrifice of His son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. 1 John 3:8, …The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. And in John 1:29, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! These words were said by John the Baptist when he saw Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus through the parable of the prodigal son teaches us all that the return of the son was his acceptance of his fall and mistakes. Father even before listening to him speak, kisses him and hugs him close to his bosom. He dressed him in new clothes/robes and gave him new slippers, removing the filth of the world from him. He put a ring on his finger reinstating him to the position of his son. The father celebrates his return forgetting everything. The same love and acceptance is seen in the parable of the lost sheep. Luke 15: 6-7, ….‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. This is what the Father in heaven expects us His children to repent and accept our mistakes before Him.
Children of God, there are eyes which are waiting for us( Heavenly Father, Son, Holy Spirit, Virgin Mother) and hands as strong as iron in Heaven. We don’t know if we have a tomorrow. Wake up and retrace your steps from the wrong ways.
Let me tell you a story: A shepherd had many sheep. One lamb from his flock was very naughty. Due to his naughty nature, the shepherd faced a lot of difficulties. One day the lamb while crossing a rocky cliff fell down and broke its leg. The shepherd bandaged the leg and hugged the lamb close to him and reassured the poor lamb. He gave it food and water, and carried it around on his shoulders. He didn’t let it walk on its own. The lamb, on receiving so much love and care from the shepherd, changed its ways. It became an obedient lamb and followed the shepherd everywhere.
If a lamb can change so much with love, are we any different from it?? Are we without gratitude?? Why do we children of God become children of Devil?? Lets introspect into ourselves. Whose child am I?? Father in Heaven or the Devil?? If you say Father then, the acts and deeds should also be in accordance. Let the Holy Spirit fill us and guide us in the right path.
AMEN.
Jehovah Roi 