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Article Archive |
2008
Reverse the Curse
by Jim Morris
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). At the very climax of His creative efforts on the sixth day, God made mankind in His own image (1:27). Then He blessed Adam & Eve. God gave them the “purpose” of multiplying, subduing and ruling the earth (1:28). God gave them a “place” to enjoy every good gift—the Garden of Eden (2:15). Finally, God gave them the “power” of choice (2:16-17). For a time they enjoyed all of God's blessings.
The day came, however, when a bad choice was made and sin entered the world (3:1-7). In Genesis chapter 3, Adam and Eve suffered God's curse of banishment from His presence. In chapter 4, Cain killed his brother Abel and brought God's curse of banishment from his brothers. In chapter 6, the wickedness of men grew so strong that God brought the flood as a curse of cataclysmic death. In chapter 9, Ham dishonored his righteous father, Noah, and received the curse of servitude. In chapter 11, mankind united against God and suffered the curse of confused languages and purpose. Equipped with the power of choice we brought down curses rather than blessings.
God did not leave us to destruction, though. Instead, He began a “new creation.” He sent His own Son to “reverse the curse” (John 3:16). Jesus, God's unique Son, lived the life of holiness that we have all failed to live. He died the death on a cross that we all deserved to die. However, God raised Jesus from the grave to be exalted above every name.
In Acts chapter two we see God “reverse the curse” for those who choose to obey Jesus. First, God made men of many languages to understand and to praise His name (Acts 2:1-13). Second, He restored mankind's honor through the obedience of the Son who died for our sins (2:14-36). Third, God brought men forgiveness through the waters of baptism rather than death through the waters of the flood (2:37-39). Fourth, God invited men to return home from a life of hopeless wandering in a crooked generation (2:40-41). Finally, God restored the sacred relationship between His people and Himself.
The first Christians “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (2:42-47).
08-27-08
# 35
