Our Heritage In Adam
by Lani W. Finley
 

We sometimes read the account of the fall of man without fully realizing the damaging effects that this event had upon the human race. The account of this event is much more than just a story about two people in a garden. It penetrates to the core of human misery. It is vitally important that we understand the destructive consequences of Adam and Eve's first sin. It is the reason why this world so desperately needs the saving grace of God.

We all know the story surrounding the sin of man. Adam and Eve were deceived by the cunning words of the serpent and ate the "forbidden fruit" (Gen. 3:1-7). God had warned them that if they disbelieved the integrity of His word and disobeyed His voice, they would surely die (Gen. 2:17).

We must not fail to fully grasp the devastating consequences of this incident and how it is responsible for every tear that man has shed in pain, grief and sorrow. The very moment that Adam and Eve transgressed the instructions of God, three dark forces took control of the life and destiny of mortal man. Death, human nature and damaged human emotions. They filled the heart, soul and body of Adam and Eve and launched the family of man into a collision course with disaster. Sin had entered the human race and its consequences would be handed down to all future generations. All the woes of mankind were inherited at that very moment. Humanity had become a bond slave to these cruel and unforgiving masters.

Man's first new master was death. Man's relationship with God was broken and death entered the soul of man. His body would begin to deteriorate and be subject to suffering, pain, sickness, disease and ultimately death. Eternal life had eluded our ancestors and was no longer within their reach. God possesses the souls of all humanity and His law is simple; the soul that sins shall die. "Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die" (Ezek 18:4). Every gravesite is a painful witness to this truth. This fact alone should convince us to believe and trust in the every word that God speaks. Death became a part of man's heritage.

His second new master was human nature. Man's heart was now focused on the self and driven to fulfill the sinful desires of the flesh. Jealousy, lust, sensuality, envy and murder had replaced the innocence of his heart. His new nature was hostile to God and he would begin to covet the possessions of his fellowman. "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be" (Rom 8:7). God's laws were revealed in order to teach us how to love one another. However, man's fallen nature would diminish his desire to share his love and possessions with others. Instead of an inherent desire to give, he would become obsessed with the need to possess and to protect the self.


His third new master was damaged human emotions. Just as soon as Adam had sinned, he experienced in his heart, the anguish of negative and damaged human emotions. The first human emotions that sin produced within man's spirit were fear, guilt and shame and a desire to run and hid from God.

"And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid {fear}
because I was naked {guilt and shame};
and I hid myself"{running from God} (Gen 3:10).

 

There is nothing more tormenting and debilitating than these negative emotions. The offices of pastors, doctors, and psychiatrists are filled with broken people who are victims of these damaged emotions. Depression, mental illness and physical sickness are often caused by unresolved guilt. It has been estimated that up to one-half of the hospital beds in America are occupied by patients with emotionally based illnesses. Some doctors have stated, that many of their patients could be released, if they could only be totally convinced that God has completely and absolutely forgiven them. Hospitals and mental institutions are testimonials to the fact that the stress of fear and guilt, will eventually cause the human mind and body to break down.

The desire to run and hide from God was also a product of man's fall. Pastor P.P. Waldenstrom explains how sin had changed man's heart toward God.

...Just as soon as Adam had sinned, he received in his heart another image of God than he had had. Instead of returning, as a fallen son, to God with confidence, he fled from Him with terror, hid himself from Him and endeavored to conceal the truth from Him. The change, which had taken place in Adam's heart, made him believe that God, also, had changed.

Adam and Eve enjoyed healthy emotions under the supervision God. However, their actions had caused the turmoil of human emotions to replace the serenity that God had given them. This too, was passed on to all generations.

This is our earthly inheritance in Adam. Our ancestor's disobedience severed man's relationship with God and brought chaos upon all flesh. Death, human nature and damaged emotions had become man's new masters. How could he be redeemed from this hopeless bondage? Who could pay such a high ransom and free him from these evil and ruthless masters? How could his relationship with God be restored?

The only answer, which could be found in heaven or earth, was the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Our loving Creator had agreed to offer His life, for His creation, before the foundation of the world (Rev.13: 8). However, after Adam and Eve had sinned, the matter was now settled. Jesus must die - or humanity would perish. Adam and Eve's sin not only brought death to their future children, but it also caused the death of our Creator, Jesus Christ. Back to beginning of booklet