What we had, and lost, and can have again

Lessons from the Garden of Eden Text: Genesis 1-3

What we had… (who we were)

Five Characteristics of Humanity in the Garden

Physical life Gen. 2:21-23, 3:23, I Cor. 14:7

Spiritual life Gen. 2:7, 2 Cor. 4:16

` Significance Gen. 1:26-28, Psm. 8:4-8

Safety / Security Gen. 1:29, Phil. 4:19

Social Satisfaction Gen. 2:18

Original Creation

Body Mind Will Spirit Emotions

We were physically alive - with body in union with spirit

We were spiritually alive – with spirit in union with God

What we lost…

The Results of the Fall Physical life of suffering Gen. 3:14-19 Spiritual death Gen. 2:17, Rom. 5:12

Lost knowledge of God Gen. 3:7-8, Eph.4:17-18

Loss of innocence Gen. 3:10, 4:5-7

Loss of peace

Loss of acceptance Gen. 2:18, Isaiah 59:1-2

Loss of security Gen. 2:10, Ezra 9:7

Loss of significance Rom. 6:19, Gal. 5:22-23

Fallen Creation Spiritually dead

A Corrupt mind – loss of the knowledge of God

Ignorance & deception

A depraved will – loss of innocence

The elevation of self

Emotional dysfunction – loss of peace

Fear, anxiety, depression, anger & shame

What we can have again…

The offer of life “in Christ”

Physical life (redeemed) Rom. 6:13, 8:18-23, 12:1

Spiritual life (restored) John 20:31, 1 John 5:20

Acceptance “in Christ” 1 Peter 2:9, Rom. 15:7

Security “in Christ” John 10:28-29, Eph. 1:13-14

Significance “in Christ” John 1:12-13, 1 John 3:1-2

Life “in Christ”

We are spiritually alive – our spirit in union with God

We are given the mind of Christ 1 Cor. 2:16, Rom. 12:2

We are given the Spirit to produce the fruit of the Spirit

Gal. 5:22-23

We are given the Spirit of God to help us do the will of God

Gal. 5:16

JESUS offers us:

Acceptance

Affirmation of worth

Eternal significance

Relational belonging

(all free, but for a limited time)

2 Cor. 6:2 “… now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”