See also: Adam, Eve and free will. The deception of Calvinism
We can toss scripture at each other until we bleed. I have a few things on this subject which I will simply post here. They deal more with the character of God and His foreknowledge and reason for creation. The sacrifice of His Son prior to creation.
Were Adam and Eve saved?
I’ve found some who actually seem to resent Adams misstep as if they would not have made that or any other mistake. That is a mistake in itself. Only one person was and is flawless. Christ.
So, did Adam remain in God’s favor after his expulsion from the garden? I prefer to believe yes.
I find it incongruous given God’s character of love, grace and forgiveness that Adam and Eve would be eternally damned after their initial mistake? Technically, while they had an edict from God concerning the tree of knowledge, God made no effort to constrain them, rather they were given the freedom to act in accordance with their own will. In their naivete they had no concept of good and evil. How could they? Evil had not yet exposed itself to the innocent Adam and Eve. It was this very act of disobedience which awoke the awareness in them, this action, was wrong. ( I know that is difficult to grasp, since God had given a direct command.)
No opportunity for redemption remains available if we, having once acted in error, are eternally excluded from a relationship with God? None would be saved. God may as well have destroyed Adam and Eve, then retained creation for himself. Or, eliminate that also. The creation of humanity would have been an exercise in futility. God, in His foreknowledge, (One may reasonably conclude,) would have aborted His desire to pursue the creation of mankind in its current form. However this, is not our history. Humanity has of necessity, inherently been instilled with the freedom to choose compliance, and not to respond simply in the predetermined, coded, obsequious manner of fawning sycophants. This is made clear in the narrative of first man. Redemption from inevitable future missteps was anticipated, bad decisions were provided for, prior to creation. “The lamb that was slain before the foundation of the earth.” And also, 1 Peter, 1:20 “He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.”
One might argue that since God chose to create man, mankind were chosen, as indeed they were. This is not random life, born of chaos, without purpose, as science would have us believe. This is a calculated, well considered decision to make man in His image. Why does He desire that none should perish? His investment is consummate. His sacrifice complete. The intrinsic quality of self determination was essential, regardless the risk. “Yes,” has no value if a man has not the option of saying, “No.”
For what purpose did Christ relate the story of the prodigal son if once the son had chosen to exit the relationship, that relationship would be permanently broken? The story of the prodigal son is not such a story. It is not restricted simply to the sins of a son. It is a visage of God, a portrayal of our Fathers response to the wrong choice of a dearly loved son. A beloved member Who lived in this fathers heart, and home. “For this my son was dead, and is alive again, was lost and is found…” Luke 15:24
It is a story of Gods redemptive overtures, His desire for the restoration of a right relationship when His loved ones fail. This fathers love neither faltered, nor failed when his son chose pleasure over home and family. God allowed the prodigal son to chose his direction, then taught him the pitfalls in a life of self service and self satisfaction apart from his father.
Why the story of Hosea and Gomer? It’s a testimony of God’s heart for His people, his creation. A portrayal of mercy, forgiveness, and His abiding love and desire for restoration. Hosea was a mere player in the lesson God wished to convey.
And, what of Jonah? “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.” God said to Jonah. Jonah ran from God. Why? Because he knew God loved His creation and would change His mind concerning Nineveh. “And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not”. Some will quote Romans 8:30. “Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified”. They will tell you it is God’s calling as if men play no part. It is a mutual agreement, a joining of the mind, soul and spirit. Let’s be reasonable with each other God says. “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD…” Isa, 1:18. The people believed and called unto God. Jonah 3, 8-9 Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not? We see in scripture that God changes His mind on numerous occasions. If He did not, why pray? He is the God of love and mercy. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Rom, 10:13. Those who say our salvation is predetermined and we play no part have bought a lie. Those who claim there was no opportunity for restoration of a relationship with God for Adam and Eve, don’t know God very well. Our Father desires we come to Him in accordance with His plan, which He provides. While scripture does share with us a few whose existence in which were circumstances in their lives were individually predetermined, His desire that we come to our father, our creator and “call upon the name of the Lord.”
Why does Paul encourage believers to restore those who have fallen? A man is sleeping with his fathers wife. This act surely is a sin which will bring death if not repented of. What is Paul’s concluding advice? Treat him as an outsider and in love woo him back into fellowship. The Spirit of God courts his sons and daughters. The church is, “The Bride of Christ.” When those invited rejected the invitation, the call went out to all found. Mat 22.
My determination pertaining to the unpardonable, the unforgivable sin is thus, a failure to repent. The failure to move from a self directed life, to a God directed life. “The devils also believe, and tremble.” Yes, however, the devils, do not submit. The great danger in a life of continual sin is as we grieve/quench the Spirit of God, we increase proportionately toward self direction. Reliant on oneself, we then seek and trust less on God’s Spirit as we cauterize our connection.
Do you not know that when you offer yourselves as obedient slaves, you are slaves to the one you obey, whether you are slaves to sin leading to death, or to obedience leading to righteousness? Rom, 6:16
Gen, 4. And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord… Eve clearly still believed and considered the Lord. She as the mother of all living, was grateful for the gift of a son and it was clear to her from the hand of whom it came.
Gen, 4:25 And Adam knew his wife again and she bare a son and called his name Seth; for God, she said, has appointed me another son instead of Abel whom Cain slew. This is 130 years from Adams creation. Eve still displays a relationship with God and gives Him the glory and thanks.
Subsequent to Adams fall, while yet in the garden, as they had became aware of their nakedness, God killed animals and made a covering for both Adam and Eve. Why shed blood? They had already made coverings of plants. Why did God favor Abel’s sacrifice of the firstborn of his sheep and not Cains plant offering? Is a pattern beginning to emerge from Adam and Eves sin, up to the day of Christ’s sacrifice? God then, provided the covering for sin by shedding of blood. God covered their shame. Christ ultimately covers all. “For a testament to be in effect, there must also be the death of the testator.” Heb, 9:16
We don’t know much of Adam and Eve, but what we do know about their offspring is that they had a mother who believed and expressed gratitude toward God, and from them sprang both men of faith, and yes, self centered, self aggrandizing, self directed men. The only way to be true to yourself, is to “die to self.” …“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. Mat, 16:24-25
1 Tim, 2:13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. If Adam was not deceived, he then willfully disobeyed regardless of his inexperience and lack of understanding. I’m not attempting to assign blame, for they were one. God, told Adam, Adam told Eve, Eve disobeyed Adam and consequently God. God held them both accountable. Perhaps this, explains why Satan chose Eve as his initial target. Satan utilizes our vulnerabilities, those chinks in our armor, our loved ones and those closest to us as a point of entry, a method for deception.
We graciously however have been provided many examples for our benefit. We’ve been made aware of the wiles of the devil, the pitfalls into which ancestral believers stumbled. We hear the ever present voice of Gods Spirit directing and encouraging, drawing us forward in discernment and faith. When we walk with the Lord, we walk in His protection, and thrive in His care. “His Word is a lamp unto our feet.”
Rev, 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
“Behold I stand at the door and knock, if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him, and him with me.” Rev, 3:20
I know no man who can claim a perfect existence. Neither you, nor I are innocent apart from God’s work within us through Christ. So I reiterate my faith in Gods grace. Then in the garden, as now, Christ covers our shame. And while I have no concrete vision of heaven I do in hope anticipate, a meeting in heaven with those who have gone before. Including Adam and Eve. “Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Cor, 2:9.
Man was made perfect as a per Gods design, he was not made infallible.
See, Adam and Eve and Free Will
I have a friend to whom I showed this to before posting here. He is of the submit, I’m the boss type. His initial response was, And what did God say to Adam? Because you listened to your wife!
As if That, was the broken command.
No.
Because after I explicitly told you not to eat the fruit of this tree, you listened to her instead of me. You exchanged and followed her words in place of Mine.
Not a proud moment for either one, yet so human, quickly pointing his finger at his wife. But, but, but, she’s responsible, she’s culpable.
God had already spoken with Eve. She tried the, “The devil made me do it,” defense. Didn’t work then, won’t work now.
I understand the, one captain in a ship concept as stated in scripture. I also have found that you get more bees with honey than with a stick approach. And, captains have first mates.
God created them both, He loved them both and made them to be one for the duration of their life on earth. The people nagged Moses and he caved. “Alright, if she commits adultery you may divorce.” But Christ made it clear that was Moses acquiescing because they were hardhearted, and never Gods intent., nor did He sanction re-marriage.
Time, Creation and the big Bang
The rich man and Lazarus a parable?