"So the Lord said to the serpent, "Because you have done this, "cursed are you.." (Genesis 3:14 NIV)
I met a man at work the other day. Bless his heart, he was a Vietnam vet, announced by hat, t-shirt and cane to boot. We waited together for a spell and I asked him about his story. He grew up Pentecost. Went away to college when the war was already well under way. His friends were dying by the time he enlisted. When he out of his junior year of college; he went to win.
It was left unsaid, but I wondered just what shattered in the jungle on the far side of the ocean? He went with hope and came home with PTSD. Like so many Vietnam vets, he self-medicated with alcohol. Three decades later, when terrorists plunged airplanes into buildings, he reported again to his local recruitment center. He was convinced that winning a war would set his heart right. They laughed and turned him away; fifty was too old to fight.
Somewhere along the way, my friend lost his faith. By the time he sobered up (fifteen years ago) his kids had no affection for him. Thankfully the grands think he’s great. Their love puts a light in his eyes again, but the nightmares still plague.
We talked for almost an hour about all the things he still believes in: intelligent design, spectacular sunsets, and extraterrestrials. “World’s too big,” he speculated, “Gotta be others out there.”
Finally we get around to his failing health. 80% disabled by VA measure; his eyesight is failing, his hip is deteriorating, and he hangs his head in defeat when he shared his recent Parkinson diagnosis. By his measure, the world is too bad for God to be good.
“Tommy?” I tread carefully, unwilling to offend this new friend. “When was the last time you read scripture?” He had assured me earlier in the conversation, he was well-acquainted as a child, but didn’t believe a word of it any longer.
“It’s been a long time.” He was mentally tallying and I wanted to make the math easier. “Was it pre-Vietnam?” He nodded affirmatively. I could see his heart was suddenly wide-open. “Would you consider giving it another go?” He began to object and I wait for him to take a breath; “You’ve seen some things since then. You are a different person now. It might hit different.”
“Well, yes ma’am, that’s true. I suppose I could consider it.” We parted ways as friends; a mid-life lady and an old man that experienced a divine appointment in a parking lot – we both agreed on that.
God bless Tommy; he has bought the lie that the world is too bad for God to be good. He has seen the ugly, vile, swindling and vicious actions of fallen people and come to wrong conclusions about our Creator.
Today’s text in Geneses 3:14-19 clears it up, though. Everything that’s broken has come into that condition through the Fall. Sin flooded in as a direct result of sin, not a reflection of our Maker. This is so hard for us to see because the enemy of our souls spend all his time and energy convincing us otherwise. He practices projection; blaming his handiwork on a good God. And all too often, we buy the lie and reject salvation. We find it easier to believe in aliens than a Creator who loves us.
The cost of sin is so clearly laid out in Genesis 3:
- Sin initiates the curse.
- Creates an arch-nemesis. (the snake)
- Multiplies pain. (physical, spiritual and emotional)
- Creates relational hierarchy.
- Sows relational insecurity.
- Makes work difficult and less productive.
- Awakens hunger.
- Instigates expiration.
God takes our sin seriously and rightly so. Sin hold such terrible ramifications for the sinner. Yet, He also takes our rescue and redemption seriously. As soon as sin’s effects were set in motion, He set His sights on our salvation. We can’t fully consider the effects of transgression without also seeing the promise of reconciliation.
"Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. For just as through the disobedience of one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous." (Romans 5:8 NIV)
Lord, please forgive us for looking at the broken state of creation and accrediting it to You. We forget how free will has ravaged humanity. We miss the fact that we are in this condition because of our collective and repeated demand for independence. Yet, in Your mercy, You still answer our cries. You came with salvation in hand for all who might call on You. Give us the courage to admit to our contribution, turn from our wicked ways, and receive Your grace. Overwhelm us with Your loving presence and restore us into right relationship with You. Amen.