Episode #9 - Falling Forward
In the garden, Adam and Even had perfect bodies– immortal– no sickness or death. They were like children. Innocent. They had forgotten life before mortality. They also could not have children. When God created them, he gave them two commandments: Here’s the Garden of Eden. Lots of good fruit here. Eat whatever you want. But you are commanded not to eat of this one particular tree. It’s the tree of knowledge of good and evil. If you eat that fruit, you will become mortal. Multiply and replenish the earth, start a family, learn to be parents, and be happy (men are that they might have joy).But, wait, these two commandments conflict with each other! They would have to use their free will to choose what to do. Satan thought he would be able to destroy God’s plan by tempting Adam and Eve to partake of the fruit. Eve partook of the fruit, but not because she was gullible to Satan’s lies. Even though she made the choice Satan wanted her to make, she made it for good reasons. Eve knew that she and Adam could not learn and grow and make their own choices between good and evil and have children unless they first ate the fruit. Eating the fruit for this reason was an act of faith. And her faith convinced Adam to eat as well.Adam and Even were expelled from the garden and would have to live mortal life on their own, making their own decisions and learning from experience. But God told them He would send a Savior, Jesus Christ, to conquer death so that Adam, Eve, and every single person ever bron will one day rise from the grave and live again in immortality in God’s presence. Satan would have no lasting power over them.In the religious sense, a transgression is any breaking of God’s rules for any reason. Transgressing knowingly and with evil intent is a “sin.” Adam and Eve transgressed one of God’s commandments, but they did it in order to fulfill the more important commandment to start a family and learn and grow. All Christendom calls this choice the “fall” because they “fell” from the presence of God and death entered the world. But it is a fall forward. It was part of God’s plan.Therefore what?Lessons we can apply to our lives: We owe our existence to Adam and Eve partaking of the fruit. Thanks guys! Satan unknowingly played right into God’s hand. God often takes situations Satan throws at us and turns them into something that will ultimately be for our benefit. Adam and Eve sacrificed immortal life in a blissful garden for us. Soldiers, immigrants, and so many others followed their example in sacrificing themselves or their lifestyle for friends, family, strangers, and generations yet unborn. They all “fall” so that we may live, may be free, and may have a happier life.
