➤ by Pastor Andy Fulson
God foresaw a successful life direction for mankind. Could their disregard of His commandments have granted the adversary their prophetic authority under which humanity still suffers today?
Are we following a disappointing life direction? Could the disregard for God’s instructions have something to do with it? Since the days of Adam and Eve, fewer and fewer people have looked to God for a turn around from their disappointments.
Adam received clear instructions for eternal life from his Creator: Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die, Genesis 2:16–17.
Satan’s rise to power as ruler on earth was never God’s will. Dominion had been assigned to mankind (Gen 1:28).
After God created Eve, she was tested by Satan, whether she would hold to the same command that had been given to Adam. She replied: We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die, Genesis 3:2–3.
Satan succeeded in luring both of them to disregard God’s command (Gen 3:1). Their disobedience brought on the following consequences:
And yet, God's determination to live in eternal fellowship with mankind remains unchanged. Still, just as in the days of Joshua, there are conditions: This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth… be strong and of a good courage… for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest, Joshua 1:8–9.
Live within God’s original intent. Refuse to disregard His commandments, and hold fast to the faithfulness of His promises.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Matthew 28:19-20
Unless stated otherwise, all Bible passages quoted in orange are from the KJV translation.