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(Gen 2:25 NLT) Now the man and his wife were both naked, but they felt no shame.
This morning we continue our series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing with our new mini-series entitled, “Grace Based Success (Prosperity)“. This week has been the introductory week of this series and I trust you have enjoyed it thus far. The Lord has been speaking to me about this series and I am excited about what He is giving me. Pray with me for this series to make the impact the Lord desires for it to make.
Yesterday I talked to you about Adam’s curse. Because of Adam man was cursed to have to work hard to and earn his provision by the sweat of his brow. That was in Genesis 3, after sin. This morning let’s close out the week by taking a look at Genesis 2, prior to sin and the fall.
The Bible describes Eden as a beautiful place. It had not rained yet, so the Bible says, “water came up from the earth and spread over the ground.” God put in his own irrigation system to ensure the garden was fed with enough water to bloom and flourish. The Bible goes on to say, “A river flowed from Eden and watered the garden. The river then separated and became four smaller rivers. The name of the first river was Pishon. This river flowed around the entire country of Havilah. (There is gold in that country, and that gold is pure. A kind of expensive perfume and onyx are also found there.) The name of the second river was Gihon. This river flowed around the whole land of Cush. The name of the third river was Tigris. This river flowed east of Assyria. The fourth river was the Euphrates. The Lord God put the man in the Garden of Eden to work the soil and take care of the garden.” Notice how big the Garden of Eden must have been. This plot of land had four rivers and look at all the ground it covered. Adam was charged with “working the soil” and “taking care of the garden“, but as you can see, God, by His unearned grace, had already setup Adam for divine success.
The Bible goes on to say, “The Lord God used dust from the ground and made every animal in the fields and every bird in the air. He brought all these animals to the man, and the man gave them all a name. The man gave names to all the tame animals, to all the birds in the air, and to all the wild animals.” Adam didn’t go to school. Where did he come up with the names? I will talk more about that in a minute.
Lastly, the chapter closes out by saying, “Now the man and his wife were both naked, but they felt no shame.”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. God put Adam in charge of an amazing property that He ensured it was flourishing and lively. Adam did nothing to earn or deserve his assignment. It was all done by God’s grace.
2. While God charged Adam with “working the soil” and “taking care of the garden“, Adam’s work was grace-based. God put a natural irrigation system in place so Adam’s work was not stressful or taxing.
3. God gave Adam divine insight and revelation. God made the animals, brought the animals to Adam so he could name them, and then gave Adam the wisdom to provide the names. Adam did not go to school. Adam received his insight from God.
4. When Adam realized all the animals had a companion and he was all alone, God met the need by giving him a wife. Once again by grace, without Adam doing anything to earn the Blessing.
5. By the end of Genesis chapter 2 Adam and Eve were so blessed, so connected to God, so Spirit-conscious, and so focused on their divine assignment, that the Bible says they “were both naked, but they felt no shame.” The picture of the grace-life we see in Genesis 2 is one with no guilt, no shame, no worry, and no fear, because these are all things that were introduced by sin.
6. The life Adam and Eve enjoyed in the Garden of Eden, prior to sin and the fall, is a picture of the grace-life He wants us to enjoy today. A life where sin does not rule over us; where we work, but our work is based-on and fueled-by God’s grace and not human effort alone; and where we hear from heaven on a consistent basis in order to accomplish our divine assignment in the earth.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me the value of hard work and the difference between working hard on my own and working by Your grace. The picture I see in Genesis chapter 2 is the picture of Your original intent. Prior to sin and the fall of man I see a life that was based-on and fueled-by Your grace. I agree with that picture. My heart says Amen. I declare by faith that sin has no power over me. I have been forgiven of sin, by Your grace, and I accept Your forgiveness. Since sin has no power over me, then I am free of guilt, shame, condemnation and fear. The weight of sin and the fear of death have been removed from my life. I enjoy every day as I seek to walk with You and fulfill my life’s purpose. I accept my divine assignment, I pursue it by faith, and I use my faith to access the grace to perform all You require of me. I enjoy my spouse and my family. I walk in love with You, my family and others. I am quick to forgive, because I am forgiven. I am quick to extend grace, because You gave extended grace to me. I receive insight and revelation from You, in order to perform my duties in the earth. And I enjoy every aspect of my life. I am going to heaven some day, but for now I know You want me to make the most of the life You have given me and You clearly want me to ENJOY THE RIDE! I declare that I will and I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
