Recently, I have been studying Genesis with the English Bible study group. There was one part that impressed me. It is about when man fell, God puts a strict guard to the tree of life, which is the solution to man’s sin.
Fruit from the tree of life
God said: ‘He must not be allowed to reach out hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.’(Genesis 3, versus 22) Does this means God do not want man to be saved?
The answer is definitely no! God always wants the best for us! He absolutely wants man to be saved and have the fruit from the tree of life! The point is - not in the same way man sins: that reaching out their hands to pick up the fruit themselves - rather than obeying God’s commend. So, instead of taking the fruit themselves, man must turn to God and search for the salvation solution from God.
Unseen machine in my mind
Have any of us been like Adam and Eve? Have any of us made decisions by ourselves rather than inviting God into our life and guide us? Have any of us been entangled with our problems rather than asking God for answers?
I know I have!
As a Christian, intellectually I know that God, our shepherd, is my strength and my shield, and I am helped.
However, I was controlled by an invisible computer in my mind that makes me worry about the things of life. It’s either difficulties at work, financial problems or relationship troubles. This internal computer never lacks of resources for matters to worry about. And it seems that there is never an end of it!
This internal computer is also fond of planning for the future. Such as saving money for future trips, trying hard to get promotion, and busying with networking. It never gets tired of the planning game.
The fact is, the more I check my thoughts from this internal computer, the more I found that nothing really happened as I worried and planned.
Yet God always ease the worries and unfolds our future directions in the way that I could never imagine!
Better answer in God
Those habitual worries and plans made me anxious and uncertain about the future. When examining myself, I realised those matters lingered in my own thoughts simply because I thought I could come up with a better idea. Subconsciously, I excluded God from my problems of my life, and I just wanted to make judgements myself, indeed the original sin!
I behave the same as my ancestors did: making my own decisions and turn my back to God. To make it worse, when problems emerge because of my judgements, I still try to solve them in my own ways, instead of seeking God’s help!
How easy for man to boast and sin! But unfortunately, this is pointing to fail. For God’s will is to invite man to be with Him and find solutions in Him.
God loves us so that He wants us to turn to Him willingly but being forced. God wants us to go through difficulties and understand that He is the only solution in the end. And this is where faith grows.
For God said “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.”(Proverb 27, versus 1) Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”(James 4, versus 15).
May we all learn to live with God’s will and seek for His help in every situation!
Cheng Xingyi (known as Cindy) was born and brought up in central China. Cindy enjoys travelling and reading history books. Cindy is inspired by talking with local people when travelling abroad experiencing different parts of the world, as well as herself.
Cheng Xingyi's previous articles may be found at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/cindy-cheng.html
Cindy Cheng was born and brought up in central China. Cindy enjoys travelling and reading history books. Cindy is inspired by talking with local people when travelling abroad experiencing different parts of the world, as well as herself.
Cindy’s previous articles may be found at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/cindy-cheng.html