A Word from Genesis 3

Did you know that “in the beginning,” God’s plan was for all of us to be vegetarians? If you don’t believe me, just take a look at Genesis Chapter 1. After creating the earth and everything in it, God says to His creatures, “Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant…and all the fruit trees for your food.” (Gen. 1:29)

Of course, most of us are not vegetarians. And if you think about it, most of us deal constantly with realities that have nothing to do with God’s plan. We don’t live in harmony with the world around us. We have struggles for power in human relationships. There’s disease and weakness—sin and shame. So, what happened? Why is life so broken and hard?

Well, today’s word from Genesis 3 (see verses 1-24) gives the answer. We chose not to trust in God’s plan for us. And we still choose to live in ways that put our will above His. And as a result, we experience “the curse” that flows naturally from our bad choices. There’s imbalance in our relationships with creation and with each other—and even worse—in our relationship with God.

But thankfully, Genesis 3 isn’t the end of The Story. Because the gospel says that “Christ redeemed us from the curse…by becoming a curse for us.” (Gal. 3:13) His loving sacrifice brings healing and makes possible a life that’s lived in the fulness of God. The question, of course, is “Are we ready to live that life?”

So, I wonder today: What would it look like for you to live like “the curse” has been broken? Would you become vegetarian? Probably not. But hopefully, you would seek to live in harmony with creation, and with others, and with God. And you known, if just we Christians did that, maybe life wouldn’t be so broken and hard. Because through us, Jesus would “come to make his blessings flow far as the curse is found.” May that new creation made possible by Jesus be at work in you today. Amen.

Alex L. Martin, Pastor

Calvary Baptist Church

314 S. Franklin Rd.

Mount Airy, NC 27030

336/786-4778 (Office)

336/745-5803 (Cell)