Genesis 3:1-11

We all know the story of Adam and Eve with the serpent. It’s difficult to imagine how Eve could possibly have found credibility in a slithering snake.  The Lord had offered them the most beautiful gift they could ever receive, but they didn't know what they didn't know.

God is our ultimate source of life and fulfillment. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s command, they demonstrated a lack of trust that brought separation from God and therefore, death.

Verse 4-5: “You will surely not die,” the serpent said to the woman.” 

         For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Though the couple did not physically die, they lost the blessing of paradise, recognized their nakedness in shame, and ultimately hid from the Source of Life, who sustained them. This is the spiritual death that sin brings.

Verses 9-10: Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord

God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid

          from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”

Though Adam and Eve disobeyed and mistrusted the Lord, He wasn't content to let them be lost to Him forever. He sought them out, calling Adam’s name. “Where are you?” God knew, of course. But Adam and his wife were being held accountable. How had it come to this? Where did they stand with the Lord? What would happen next?

We too, must ask the question. Where do we stand in the eyes of The Great I AM?

In the book of John, Jesus reminds us:

John 6:35  I AM the bread of life…    
John 8:12  I AM the light of the world… 
John 10:7  I AM the gate for the sheep…   
John 10:11 I AM the good shepherd…  
John 11:25 I AM the resurrection and the life…      
John 14:6   I AM the way and the truth and the life...
John 15:5   I AM the vine; you are the branches...                                                                                                                                                                        

Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, God has made a way for our relationship with Him to be reconciled and restored. Are you going to work on that? I AM!

Read/Listen to Genesis 3:1-11

John 10:7-18

Many years ago I enjoyed watching a daytime television game show called, "Let's Make a Deal."  My favorite part of the show was the ending, when the contestants, who were still in the game, were given the opportunity to go for one last prize. The only catch being they had to guess which door the jackpot was behind; door number 1, number 2 or number three.  The suspense was built up to the very moment the final decision was made..."I'll take door number three, Monty."

Often, the contents of one door would be revealed and the contestant had to decide to grab that one or take his chances and try for an even better prize behind another door.  What a blessing for us as Christians that we do not have to play games like this when it comes to salvation -- the greatest prize of all time!  Jesus says He is the gate (door), "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture." (John 10:9)

We don't have to play games, we don't have to wonder what's behind the mysterious door.  We know that Jesus is the Door, the Gate, the Way.  We don't have to guess, just open the door and walk right in.

Read the John 10:7-18 text here.