Genesis 3:14-24
God promised Adam that disobedience would bring death (2:17).When Adam disobeyed God by sinning, he and Eve died, they were separated from God’s blessed presence, facing an eternity of misery. The earth also came under a curse (v.17). Although the image of God is still with each of us, it is severely marred. However, the mandate to work did not cease. Man was to continue in his labors. Labor would now be difficult (v.19), and often it would be very
unpleasant, as we shall see in future lessons.
The purpose of redemption is to bring man back into the garden, to restore man to the original but better condition. Those who belong to God’s grace are being transformed, conformed to the image of Christ. That transformation
is occurring to believers even now. Sometimes it is a painful process to be changed, to be like Christ, but the change is happening. The final result will be glorious. The transformation is impacting our character, but it will even change
our attitude toward work. If you keep your heart and mind fixed on Jesus, your attitude towards work and your work performance will be transformed. Then even in eternal life, we will have jobs to do, but the labor will then be perfectly
joyful and worshipful, forever (Luk.19:17).
Meditate on verse 17. What is God teaching you in this verse?
Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, forgive me for all the sins I have committed so that they do not affect my family and community. Amen.