Lord's Day 6

Devotion

Things are not the way they should be. The Bible tells us that when God created man and woman, they were created good in a pristine condition; without sin, without conflict between us. Humanity was at peace with God, living in a covenant relationship with Him. We even read in Gen. 3 that God walked with Adam and Eve in the garden.

Today it is Paradise Lost. There is war, disease, broken relationships, broken lives. We feel separated from God, and we struggle to do the right we know we ought to do. Things are not the way they should be. How did things go so wrong?

The catechism summarizes Gen. 3 saying that, “Our first parents, being left to the freedom of their own will, fell from the state wherein they were created, by sinning against God.” God gave the commandment: “Do not eat of the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” But with the commandment came the choice; follow His commandment and live in the garden with Him, or break His commandment and face certain death. Our first parents were given the choice, and had the free will to choose to obey or disobey God’s decree.

Our parents sinned, disobeying God’s sovereign will. Sin is the willful act that goes against God’s will, and it is also the passive inaction that leaves His will undone. Adam and Eve chose to eat from the forbidden tree, sinning against God’s commandment. But our parents are not alone in their abuse of their free will. This week, let us honestly reflect on our lives and confess the many ways that we have sinned against God’s will, by our action or inaction, that we may be made right with God.

Prayer

Almighty God, we are all too aware of our sins, they are always before us, ready to condemn us. But you promise that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Set us free from our sins, that we might enjoy true communion with you again. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Question 13

Q. 13. Did our first parents continue in the estate wherein they were created?

A. Our first parents, being left to the freedom of their own will, fell from the estate wherein they were created, by sinning against God.

Scripture Proofs

Gen. 3:6-8;

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.

And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

Gen. 3:13;

Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

Ecc. 7:29.

See, this alone I found, that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes.

Question 14

Q. 14. What is sin?

A. Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God.

Scripture Proofs

1 John 3:4.

Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.

Question 15

Q. 15. What was the sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created?

A. The sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created, was their eating the forbidden fruit.

Scripture Proofs

Gen. 3:6;

Gen. 3:12.

The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.”