I would assume that most of us are quite familiar with the term the “terrible two’s”. You know, that very specific age of childhood where these beautiful angelic creatures suddenly seem demon-possessed? We often joke about it but when confronted with the behavior we are astounded at the innate rebellion in their little hearts. Where does this come from? How do little two-year olds know how to say NO! It’s not as though we teach them this behavior. They seem to be hard-wired this way. We can often speak of children as pure and innocent and, in terms of worldly knowledge, this is probably true. But their spirits know exactly how to rebel against their parents with a test of the wills. Pure innocence, in terms of their nature, is just a myth. That was lost long ago in the Garden—in the beginning of time.
One of the blessings of being re-born by the Spirit of God is the freedom to choose not to rebel—sin. As adults we often make it much more complicated than it actually is. We say, “we can’t help ourselves, its just how we are wired.” But, the simple truth is that, with this rebirth, we no longer have to be driven by that sinful wiring. We can actually say “NO” not in rebellion but to rebellion. We have a choice.
We just celebrated the death and resurrection of Jesus at Easter. The whole purpose of his birth, death and resurrection was for the restoration of this lost innocence. The Garden was a place of exquisite beauty, peace and joy. Everything that was needed for life was available for the pleasure of our first parents. They walked in the Garden in the presence of God. Life was good. Why ruin such a good thing? There was only one directive from God that came with limitations. “The Lord God placed man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. But the Lord warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the Garden—except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.” (Genesis 2:16-17) The Lord was speaking not only of a physical death but of a spiritual one as well. As you may have heard— they didn’t listen. They made a choice to disobey the very One who met all their needs. The One who breathed life into them. Why? What happened? The shrewdest creature in the Garden caused Eve to question whether God was holding out on her. Why did he want to keep her from this specific knowledge? Why couldn’t she know everything? If she could know everything, would she then be just like God? How great would that be? “The woman was convinced…so she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband…and he ate it. At that moment their eyes were opened and they suddenly felt ashamed.” (Genesis 3:6-7) Shame was the result of spiritual death. It happened instantly. They went from enjoying the presence of God to wanting to hide from him. This was a drastic heart change.
The Shattering of the human race…
…the ground is cursed because of you. All your life you’ll struggle and scratch a living from it…by the sweat of your brow will you have food to eat until you return to the ground from which you were made. For you were made from dust and to dust you will return.” (Genesis 3:17-19) So, The Lord God said “Look, they have become like us knowing both good and evil. What if they reach out and take fruit from the Tree of Life, and eat it? Then they will live forever!” So the Lord banished them from the Garden of Eden and he sent Adam to cultivate the ground from which he had been made.” (Genesis 3:22-23)
We have been trying to get back to the Garden ever since. One philosophy after another seeking to replant the Garden. Our latest and revisited— being a utopian hope of socialism and equity etc.—but time and again it fails. Each generation intuitively knows something isn’t right with us. Each one longing for a better way. A better life.
Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) He is the bridge back to the Garden, back to the life in the presence of God. At present, it is a spiritual Garden. One in which he is cultivating one heart at a time. When the Lord banished them from the Garden he did so out of love and mercy. He didn’t want them to live in a state of eternal spiritual death. He knew his Son would be the Way to breath new life back into mankind. And so he is…
Do you feel it? That unsettled need to make things right? I’m not talking about the world but your heart. God will deal with the world in his timing. You see, it’s one new birth at a time in this Garden. It’s not a lifestyle. It’s a heart change. It’s a renewed relationship with the One who made you. It’s time to get reacquainted. It’s time to release that grown-up version of the terrible-two’s and say yes. Yes, to the God who gave his Son for you. Yes, to the freedom from the power of rebellion. Why? Because you are loved! The Garden awaits you…
