The Problem Defined

In the Bible we find a profound narrative that speaks to the very essence of human existence. It's a story that begins with beauty and perfection, but quickly explores the complexity of human nature and our relationship with God. As we look at the early chapters of Genesis, we uncover a series of events that define the human condition and set the stage for God's redemptive plan.

The concept of free will is central to understanding our relationship with God. Just as God possesses free will, God has bestowed this gift upon humanity. We are not mere puppets on strings, but beings capable of making choices – choices that can either align with or diverge from God's design. This freedom is both a blessing and a challenge, as it allows us to choose whether to live in harmony with God or to pursue our own paths.

With this freedom comes a problem: sin. While there are many ways to define sin, we can see that the results of sin lead to broken relationships. These fractures occur in four areas:

1. Between us and God

2. Between us and others

3. Within ourselves

4. With creation

The book of Genesis presents four pivotal stories that illustrate the devastating effects of sin on these relationships:

1. Adam and Eve and the Forbidden Fruit (Genesis 3)

This familiar tale is one of pride; the desire to become like God. When Eve is tempted by the serpent, she sees the forbidden fruit as a shortcut to wisdom and power. The consequences of their disobedience ripple through all four relationship spheres: they are separated from God, blame each other, feel shame, and witness the cursing of the ground.

2. Cain and Abel (Genesis 4)

The story of humanity's first murder showcases how unchecked negative emotions can lead to devastating actions. God warns Cain that "sin is crouching at the door," but Cain fails to heed this warning. His jealousy festers and ultimately results in violence against his brother. This tale reminds us of the power of our thoughts and how emotions and ideas can manifest as harmful actions.

3. The Flood (Genesis 6-9)

As human wickedness grows, we see how pervasive sin can become. The violence and corruption of humanity grieves God to the point where God decides to start anew with Noah and his family. This story illustrates the far-reaching consequences of sin, affecting not just individuals but entire societies and even the natural world.

4. The Tower of Babel (Genesis 11)

Once again, human pride takes center stage as people attempt to build a tower to make a name for themselves and reach the heavens. This act of hubris results in the scattering of people and the confusion of languages, demonstrating how sin directed against God ultimately leads to broken relationships among humans.

These four accounts paint a vivid picture of the sin problem that plagues humanity. They show how our choices to rebel against God, rely on our own understanding, and elevate ourselves lead to brokenness in every aspect of our lives. The spiral of sin affects not just our individual lives but ripples out to impact our communities and the world around us.

Yet, even in the face of this bleak reality, there is hope. The biblical narrative doesn't end with brokenness but points towards restoration. God's desire is to call us back into relationship, to heal the fractures caused by sin, and to restore us to wholeness. This concept of wholeness is captured in the Hebrew word "shalom" – a state of complete well-being that encompasses right relationships with God, others, ourselves, and creation.

While the full realization of shalom awaits the return of Christ, we can experience glimpses of this restoration in our lives today. Through Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit, we have the opportunity to taste the goodness of God and experience healing in our relationships.

As we reflect on these truths, we're invited to examine our own lives. Where do we see the effects of sin creating distance in our relationships – with God, others, ourselves, or creation? How can we open ourselves to the restoring work of God in these areas? Where might sin be "crouching at our door?"

In acknowledging our brokenness and need for God, we find the path to healing and restoration. We're called to take every thought captive, to resist the temptation to let negative emotions fester, and to humbly submit ourselves to God's transforming work in our lives.

In the end, the 4 Fall Stories are not only about humanities descent into sin, but about defining the problem God seeks to solve as we read on in the Bible.

Next week we look at how God seeks to solve the "sin problem" by choosing a family for a special mission.