Wednesday’s Word – 13 September

“God said, “You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.” ’ ⁴But the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not die; ⁵for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’”  Genesis 3:3-4

In Genesis 3 there is a basic tension between what God says and humanity’s ability to live it.  The boundaries are clear.  They exist.  There is a better way to live.  God gives it.  But as much as the first humans may want to exist in harmony with God and God’s intention,  they find that on their own power they cannot.

The New Testament talks about that tension this way:  “ I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate….Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin that dwells within me.”  Romans 7: 15-20

Part of the Good News is actual power for living God’s good ways – and that’s available through trust in Jesus Christ.

Lord God, grant that we might hate sin and trust in Christ’s power to transform our wills, emotions, words and actions, to be in harmony with  you.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

• Greg