“Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people.” (Romans 5:18 NIV)
Eve’s bite of the apple condemned us. Jesus’ sacrifice redeemed us.
Forbidden fruit makes many jams. In the case of Eve, when she succumbed to temptation, sin entered the world. Eve had no idea what she was doing when she bit into the fruit. Most people don’t intentionally set out to cause destruction. The alcoholic didn’t think taking the first sip of alcohol would ruin his life. The adulteress didn’t think the harmless response to an email would start an affair. The overeater didn’t think one piece of cake would lead to eating the entire cake. We don’t intentionally go looking for trouble. Neither did Eve. She just wanted to taste the fruit. When she did, sin entered the world. Life changes in a moment
Life changes in a moment.
The first thing Eve did was share the fruit with Adam. People feel better when they aren’t the only one doing something wrong. We feel justified if someone else agrees with the decision we’re making. We can always find someone who will go along with the rest of the crowd. Finding someone who will take a stand against injustice is harder. We all suffer from the effects of sin in our lives, whether our own or someone else’s. Martin Luther King Jr. summed up our lot in life well:
“We may have all come in different ships, but we’re all in the same boat.”
We all live in a world of sin. Each of us struggle with different sins. We’re impacted by the sins of others. We’re all in the same boat, we all need the same answer: Jesus.
“For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.” (Romans 5:19 NIV)
Jesus is the answer. He gives us the strength to say no to temptation. He faced every temptation we will ever face, yet did not succumb. He gives us a way out. He helps us set boundaries in our life to fight the battle of sin. Whatever sin we struggle with each day, we can lay it at Jesus’ feet. Jesus is the calm in the storm.
Eve introduced sin in the world, Jesus provided the answer.
Eating the fruit opened their eyes. Their nakedness became apparent to them. Their sin introduced a vulnerability in their lives they had never known. God clothed them. He covered their nakedness with the first sacrifice.
Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice. His one act clothed all of us in righteousness. Eve introduces sin. Jesus redeems us once and for all.
Question of the Day:
How has Jesus redeemed you?
Further Reading: 1 Chronicles 28:1-29:30 NIV, Romans 5:6-21NIV, Psalm 15:1-5 NIV, Proverbs 19:18-19 NIV
