Lesson 8
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GENESIS 3:6
Genesis 3:6. This verse describes the fall of man. God's command was very clear to Adam and Eve. They knew what they were forbidden to do, and yet, notwithstanding, they deliberately disobeyed God. This terrible act of disobedience is called the "fall," because by it man fell from the estate wherein he was created into an estate of sin and misery. Adam's act of disobedience was sinful. Probably one of the best definitions of sin is that of the Westminster Shorter Catechism: "Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God."
It has well been said that sin is a real evil. It is in no sense merely an illusion; it is a definite, positive thing. Cf., for example, James 2:10; James 4:17; Romans 3:23; I John 3:4.
Furthermore, sin is a specific evil. There are other evils, such as sickness and death, which are the fruits of sin, but sin is to be distinguished from these. Cf. Romans 5:12.
Sin is also a moral evil, in that it violates the law of God.
Sin, then, is here in the world, and its presence raises three problems which we human beings cannot answer, Yet, we do well to consider these problems.
1. Genesis 3:6 tells us that man sinned by disobeying God. Why did man do this? What is the ultimate cause of moral evil? Sin is irrational, and there is no sufficient cause to explain why man should sin. Why, then, did he do it? We simply do not know.
2. Why did God decree evil? Why did God choose this way of showing forth the glory of His being and of His character? There are some who say that God did not decree evil, but that it already existed or came from some other source. But this contradicts the Bible as we see from Romans 11:36 and Ephesians 1:11. We urge the student to road carefully Isaiah 45:5-9. (Note especially verse seven.) God did ordain evil; it is within His plan. At the same time the Bible teaches us that God is not the Author of gin, nor is His nature sinful. He is the Holy and the Just; He is Light and in Him is no darkness at all. Yet, why did He decree evil? We do not know. Although we do not understand why God has ordained evil, yet we know that this fact has shown us God's great love in saving sinners.
3. As Adam was created, he was good (Genesis 1:31), holy and upright in nature, with immaculate moral character and inclination. How could such a being become sinful and depraved? How could a sinless being become sinful? We do not know.
In order that these questions may not discourage us, let us simply trust God, Who knoweth the end from the beginning. Our reason cannot answer these questions, because our reason is finite and darkened by sin. Yet, "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" "Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, Who will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God." I Corinthians 4:5. "Oh! the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out. For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things; to Whom be glory forever. Amen." Romans 11:33-36.
EXERCISES
- Commit to memory the Shorter Catechism definition of sin.
- What is the first insoluble problem raised by the presence of sin ?
- What is the second insoluble problem raised by the presence of sin?
- What is the third insoluble problem raised by the presence of sin?
- In the face of these problems, what is the best attitude for us to take?
OPTIONAL EXERCISES Study carefully and commit to memory question seven of the Shorter Catechism, or question twenty-seven of the Heidelberg Catechism.
HYMNS FOR STUDY
No. 414: "God Moves In A Mysterious Way."
No. 140: "There Is A Fountain Filled With Blood."