In this chapter God forms rivers and trees,beautiful trees... one tree that He made was the tree of knowledge of good and evil. He also formed a man, but realized that man could not live alone because that would cause him to be lonely, so He also created a woman, from the man. He told them that they could eat from any tree, other than the tree of knowledge because if they did they would die. At the end of the chapter is says, "The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame."
The last part is what stuck out to me the most. They felt no shame. Yes, it was because they hadn't yet eaten from the tree of knowledge, but its still what stuck out me. After the eat from the tree they feel great shame because they messed up - big time! They did exactly what God told them not to! However, Jesus died for our sins... sins like Adam and Eve committed...the sin of not listening , not obeying Him. So, I wonder if were supposed to go back to NOT FEELING SHAME. Jesus was nailed to the cross for our sins. He died to take on all of it - our shames, our guilts, our really really bad choices. So maybe, just maybe we are to go back to when Adam and Eve felt no shame and FEEL NO SHAME, but allow it to be nailed to the cross.
I've been thinking about sin a lot today. We all sin. We can try to deny it...try to hide from it...but no matter what our lives prove that its there. However, I believe that some people deal with their sin better than others. Now, I'm not just talking about how they control it better than others (or so it seems), but what I mean is some people acknowledge their sin, go to God about it, and then they move on....they let go...and live their life as if the sin is done and over with, which is it is because God says so. God does bring our past sins to our attention on a daily basis, but fully forgives. I think, however, a lot of people (myself included in this) believe otherwise.
Let me explain with a picture and a metaphor:
This is my attempt at a scoreboard. A lot of the time people believe that God is counting their sins against them. They believe God couldn't possibly love or care about them because they sin so much, so deeply. However, its more like my picture. God takes on our sins. They aren't counted against us, but He died for our sins, so its more like My sin-O and God taking on the sin-+50. God loves us that much. He is that good!
You are right - "we are supposed to go back to not feeling shame."
ReplyDeleteThe FULL meaning of repentance is not only admitting your sin, owning up to it and letting it go. You must desire to change and act toward changing. That equals repentance.
That is what He desires of us. I think you are absolutely right, our "score" does not go negative each time we sin, but that also doesn't mean that we don't address it (I know that is not what you are saying, just thinking out loud).
Therefore...in response to your post: God's love is so beautiful. We are not meant to feel shame, since Jesus came, died and conquered death on our behalf - once and for all. We should admit our sins daily, turn from them and grow closer with God - going back to that original relationship that He created between man and Himself. Thanks Jesus :D
Kassie -I have an MP3 by Donald Miller that's all about what it means to go back to being naked in the garden. :) If you want it, I would love e-mail it to you.
ReplyDeleteThis post is something that comes from deep within me...and something I still very much have to convince myself of. I may have addressed my sin and may not be involved in certain sin anymore, but that doesn't mean I've given it fully to God or stopped shamming myself because of it.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, Melissa I would love it!