Labels:text | black and white | font | screenshot | paper | white | document OCR: -The Testimony-Part 2 Adam and Eve were placed in a beautiful both parties equally deserved to be sentenced to garden spot on earth, and shared a wonderful life the form of condemnation that God had together as they served God and relied upon Him prescribed for their behavior. If left unchecked, for guidance. Though ignorant of the this choice to rely only upon themselves would complexities involved in realms beyond them, destroy the Purpose of God .... a Purpose which they both were shielded from all harm, as long as was in the true benefit of all concerned. they trusted the wisdom of God's instructions. Apart from revelation, humans can but This "innocence" they possessed must be seen, speculate, in a limited way, regarding God's however, as but relative. For, even in their case, underlying reasons and motives surrounding all God chose to make their reliance upon Him a of these events. Clearly, He kept most of this matter of voluntary choice. They knew that God information strictly to Himself in order to unfold a had at least one Law for them .... not to eat from pre-ordained Plan -- a Plan which would exhibit the tree in the middle of the garden. They were the magnitude of His foreknowledge, wisdom and totally aware of the fact that the consequences of power. Afair portion of this was later revealed by eating this forbidden fruit were declared by God His Spirit as evidence of the majesty of His Glory to be disastrous for them. If they would merely and the character of His Will. One of the greatest trust God, and take His Word for it, all things motives of God was to demonstrate the benefits would remain well with the m. of trusting Him, even concerning things that we The fact that God did not intervene to do not fully understand. While this is true, we stop Satan from entering into the human realm must emphasize that the whole story is yet to be has raised many questions regarding God's told. It is very likely that we could not begin to character. This great mystery concerning His contemplate the higher reasons that lie behind actions remained hidden to men (and apparently God's considerations concerning the course He to angels) for some time; until God saw fit to chose to follow for the furtherance of His creative reveal His Ultimate Purpose for His creation, and ideals. What we can do, however, is to try to display His desire to voluntarily justify the true understand all of the explanations that relate to nature of His decisions. (Romans 3:23-26) In the us which He has given. In this, we are asked to final analysis, God's decision to offer His trust the judgments and promises of the One who creatures a choice in their existence carried with brought us into existence. It 3:15)(Ephesians 3:8-12) This Purpose would be Continued from front page-GRATITUDE a pre-planned purpose. (Genesis completed; and their was no decision made by others that could thwart God's Will in bringing responses involve discussions of changes in people or that Purpose about. feelings. Now, I know that this hits most of us pretty The lie of Satan was preferred by Adam close to home, so let me ask this gently, "Is it just and Eve over any heed they might have had for possible that they never really loved the other person God's warning. Their choice to go ahead and eat at all? the forbidden fruit (an item made so appealing by My wife has changed since we got married (I the Serpent's advertisements) had sent a Clear have too, but don't tell her!) We don't always get signal that humans were no longer willing to strictly rely upon God's wisdom and judgments. along (Big shocker, right?) Sometimes, we don't even Mankind (who had experienced only blessings like one another very much. (Nothing personal, just from God up to that point) had effectively taken anger.) She doesn't always love what I'm acting like. upon themselves a higher knowledge of right and (Sometimes, I don't either.) But, we're still together. wrong; and, the greater level of responsibility that How? Well, here it comes ... I love her. And she loves came with it. They had truly "bitten off more than they could chew". me. It takes two to be that way, but that's about all it God's beautiful earthly creation had takes. Period. been marred. Through Satan's deceit, Eve's Our relationship with Godis much the same. decision, and Adam's cooperation, humans had He simplyloves us. He always has. He always will. been led into demon-like rebellion against God's Listen to Him: "Yes, I have loved you with an wishes. The Lord's Law was clear. "In the day everlasting love: therefore, withlovingkindness have I you eat of it, you shall surely die." Satan's voice- to-the-contrary made no difference in the matter. drawn you." (Jeremiah31:3) Humans, as wellas demons, had done that which Do welove Him? they knew was unlawful. Solely by virtue of law, Do we have the Christian Perspective?
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