2011-02-13 (pm) Genesis 2:4-25; 1 Corinthians 15:45-50 BC Art.

14 From Honour to Curse

So far in our study of the Belgic Confession, weve looked at the basic nature and character of God, how we can come to know him, through general and special revelation, how God is three persons in one essence. We then shifted to examining creation and providence, two sides of the same coin. Now were entering into creation, so to speak, looking at the purpose of humanity, the fall and the state of humanity. Article 15 deals with original sin, then articles 16-26 deal with redemption. It is fitting to begin with the fall into sin. Unless we know the consequences of rebellion against God, we cant really appreciate his amazing grace. So like the article, we begin with the beginning. After God had created the earth and everything in it, he topped it all of by creating a being/beings in his own image. From the dust of the earth, God created Adam and breathed life into him. This of course, denies the theory that humans developed autonomously, or by chance, or by primeval people. God himself created Adam with the ability to reason, obey and govern the earth under God. He was fully able to do this from the beginning. There was nothing essential lacking in Adam or Eve. For all our technological advances, were still doing the same thing as what has been done before, providing food, clothing and shelter. History is full of great technological advances and retreats. But the

presumption that people who lived in caves were less intellectual than those who did not, simply doesnt pan out. It is an assumption based on chronological snobbery, were
1

clearly more advanced than the generation before us, so therefore people way back in history were totally backwards compared to us. The confession says that in the garden, Adam possessed true righteousness, holiness and knowledge. After the fall, these things were lost. It is only through Christs redemption that we are able to have them again. Also worth noting is that God placed Adam in the garden to work. This is a natural works relationship. God placed Adam in the garden with expectations for his behaviour. He was fully capable of obeying God. Nothing hindered him from doing so. He didnt need Gods grace before the fall because he wasnt a sinner. He could obey simply because he was able to obey, sin had not yet corrupted him. Had Adam perfectly obeyed God, he woukld have received the crown of life and entered the true Promised Land, the true Sabbath rest. Alas, Adam sinned, he disobeyed God, and plunged himself and all humanity into sin and under Gods curse: death.

The second section of this article deals with the effects of Adams rebellion on himself and all humanity since. Adam didnt recognise his high position. He did not realise the potential he had within himself. He didnt understand the privileges afforded by God. He didnt value it, like the lazy servant this morning, he didnt appreciate what he had. Instead, he listened to Satan and he wilfully sinned.

Eve was deceived, Adam rebelled. When Adam rebelled, it is as though each and every one of us also personally sinned. Adams rebellion was a rejection of Gods authority, a denying of his creator and Lord, wilfully subjecting himself and everyone else to the curse. We dont have to look far to see sins effects. Every lie, every stolen toy, every lippy response, every murder, sickness, funeral, war, etc originates in Adams rebellion. All the things God created were good, but the fall into sin affected all these good things. There is no going back, there is no turning back the clock. The only way forward is the redemption of humanity, as sinful human flesh cannot inherit Gods kingdom. The first Adam was from the earth, the Adama, the second Adam comes from heaven to redeem Adams fallen race.

The effects of the Fall It must be understood what happened in the fall into sin. Rather than painting the rather nicer picture of sin making us weak, unable to choose right instead of wrong. Rather than taking the view that we have genetic disposition toward sin, the Bible teaches that we are evil and corrupt. Popular culture today teaches that people are basically good. The Bible is not so idealistic. While we still possess something of the divine image, that image is corrupted, ruined by sin. The result is that rather than doing what God created us to do, we turn inward and seek to benefit ourselves.
3

Sin is so serious that it hinders everything. It prevents people from turning and repenting. It makes people love wickedness, love darkness. It makes people obstinate. They refuse Gods grace. Man doesnt have free will, man is a slave to sin. Man will willingly chose sin everytime. Indeed, no one can come to the Father unless the Father draws him to himself. The mind of flesh is hostile to God. The flesh is unspiritual, not willing, not interested in seeking the knowledge of God. Truly, apart from God, we can do nothing. It is into wickedness and corruption were born. This doesnt make us sinful robots. Rather, every decision we make is influenced by sin, so that we choose sinful things. Because God demands perfect obedience, something Adam was created able to do, we hate him because we cannot do it, tainted by sin such as we are. We maim ourselves because of sin, plucking out our spiritual eyes, cutting off our spiritual ears, amputating our spiritual arms and legs. The nature of sin is total destruction, and people love it! Even though it separates us from our creator, we would rather die and enjoy the pleasure derived from rebelling. We by now, and pay later. That which condemned Adam also condemns us.

Our Lesson Adam was created through Gods divine will and action. There are no animal ancestors, as image bearers of God, humans are unique, not even the angels have what we are given.
4

Psalm 8 identifies us as a little lower than the heavenly beings, angelswhich underscores the agony of sin. Can you imagine, the human being, once described by Cornelius Van Til as like God in every way that a creature can be like God, has descended, fallen from the glorious position. The result is that image bearers of God go dumpster diving. Image bearers of God are aborted from their mothers womb, or shot in the streets. One image bearer harms another, through the spoken word, through violence. The Christian view is that humans are possessors of dignity. Were not merely the top of the food chain, but were specially created by God, in his image. Even after the fall, human life is extraordinarily valuable, much more than anything that evolutionists can try to claim. We see this in the nature of morality. How can murder be wrong, when animals kill each other without committing crimes? Have any human witnessed an animal trial? A sentencing, anything like that seen by anyone? No? A secularist says, thats the natural order of things. But we do have a moral sense. If you exploit others, people will complain. But if theres no human dignity, why should they complain? It is only because we believe that we have dignity that morality makes any sense at all. Death is not natural. It is the separation of the material, the body, from the spiritual, the spirit. The creation and fall are not a myth. They describe the reality we see. Every death is a reminder that the Bible is a record of the human race. Why weep at

death? Why consider it a loss? Because we know that death is wrong! We know that death is a curse! Gods grace is described from Genesis 2 to Revelation 22. It is the story that thought we deserve death, were under the curse of death, God does not treat us as our sins deserve. He graciously preserves us. He graciously saves us. He saves all who are willing to put their faith and trust in him. Jesus came to defeat death. Increasingly, secular funerals have been celebrations of life, with no consideration for the life that just ended. Christians need to speak clearly and passionately about sin and death. The Bible is honest about the truth of the situation. The fall was terrible. The condition is real. The Bible doesnt hide anything nor does it pretend it doesnt exist, it is frank and honest. God, in his grace, chose not to annihilate everyone and start again. Though dead, and unable to save ourselves, God saved us. He sent a second Adam, a righteous one, to do what the first Adam did not do. So therefore, the Psalmist is right when he states, do not put your trust in human princes, or human ability or human goodness. Put your confidence in the creator. The creator sent His Son to undo the consequences of human sin. He is able to recreate us, to restore to the innocent state of Adam in Eden. More than that, he glorifies us so that we will not sin again. Then we will experience true Sabbath rest. The news is bad, very bad. The situation is ugly. But the Good news is that Jesus, the second Adam has saved us under grace. Jesus lived the perfect life required by Gods
6

righteousness. The tainted divine image possessed by us, will be restored and glorified. Where sin abounds, grace abounds even more! Amen.