Judgement and Grace

Judgement and Grace is the theme of Genesis beginning in chapter 3. We've all read Genesis many times. I've always seen the sin of Adam and Eve to be the eating of the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge, or the decision to do so. In my recent rereading of Genesis and study, I had an aha moment. The true sin of humankind in the Garden of Eden is their decision to "be like God"and to not trust Him. This was a choice to self-determine life's limits. Wow! Does this sound familiar? When questioned, Adam blamed Eve telling God, "the woman whom you gave to be with me". He then further blames God for giving him the woman. God's judgement was the loss of Eden and they also had to wear animal skins (along with other "human" qualities).

We are closer to the sin of our earliest ancestors than we think.

The judgement of God was swift and notable. The most painful of them must have been their removal from the presence of God. We have to remember, though, that these punishments didn't mean humankind was without His grace and mercy. God could have ended their lives, but he showed mercy by allowing them to live with the covering of animal skins and laborious work. How often do we allow ourselves to self-determine our limits? Or how often do we try to be like God by not trusting Him?

I've been known to say "I don't have time to read the Bible" or "I will pray later". Both of these are self-determining life's limits. It is saying to God, "I don't trust in You enough to read the Bible now and pray fervently". I know some of you are with me on this experience. We always think we have tomorrow. Plan to trust God today!

My Sisters in Battle

From time to time, I turn to a wonderful book of poetry (Sitting by My Laughing Fire) by a true woman of God, Ruth Graham, for a pick-me-up! Tonight, I turned to one of my favorites...

"Dear God, I prayed, all unafraid 
(as we're inclined to do), 
I do not need a handsome man 
but let him be like You; 
I do not need one big and strong 
nor yet so very tall, 
nor need he be some genius, 
or wealthy, Lord, at all; 
but let his head be high, dear God, 
and let his eye be clear, 
his shoulders straight, whate'er his state, 
whate'er his earthly sphere; 
and let his face have character, 
a ruggedness of soul, 
and let his whole life show, dear God, 
a singleness of goal; 
then when he comes 
(as he will come) 
with quiet eyes aglow, 
I'll understand that he's the man 
I prayed for long ago." 
— Ruth Bell Graham


This got me thinking about how thankful I am for a husband who loves Jesus with a fervent passion. I can't imagine a marriage any other way. But I know women who do more than imagine this marriage, they live it. Now, I'm not saying my marriage is perfect. Honey, the devil does his best to get inside the Smith household (as he does any Christian family)! Can you say impatient? Or self-protective? Because these describe me. Just ask my husband! 


Yesterday, I was writing a note to a precious young lady I've know for years who is in a hurting marriage. So many times I feel so inadequate when trying to give advice. Who am I to say what anyone should do or say? I just feel that I don't qualify or have the spiritual knowledge (working on this!). But, I remember what I have read in 1 Peter, chapter 3...

"Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives,  when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.  Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.  Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.  For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear."

What I take from these verses is that our lives should be an example. Our words, actions, clothing, attitude, etc. should radiate the love of God. This will do more than trying to push Christianity on him. We can't force our husbands or anyone else to do anything, but we can pray for their hearts! We can pray that a door will open. 

Join me in praying for our sisters who are in relationships without Christ at the center!