1-BSG-3A: WORSHIP GUIDE.
Genesis 3: Worship Guide/ 1-BSG-3A, (Genesis 3:1-10)/ Theme: Sin vs. Holiness/ Hymn: Take Time to be Holy (SDAH 500)Exploration: Sin as separation from God –(Dt 31:18; Isa 1:15; 59:2; 64:7; Ezek. 8:6; Hos 5:6; Mic 3:4; Eph 2:12).
Reflection: In the first chapter, God created “the heavens and the earth” in six literal days. In the end, God examined everything that He had made, “and behold, it was very good and He validated it completely.” (Gen 1:31, AMP)—culminating in the seventh-day Sabbath rest, (Gen 2:1-3). In the second chapter, Adam and Eve were at peace with God; at peace with themselves and the natural world over which they had been given stewardship. They were free to eat any fruit of the garden with one exception—“the Tree of the Knowledge of good and evil.” In fact, chapter two ended up with a picture of holiness, purity, and being covered with the glory of God: “And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed or embarrassed” (Gen 2:25). But in chapter three, everything changes. Man is expelled from the garden: he is guilty, full of sorrow, shame, and will soon die (Gen 4:8). In addition, the ground is cursed (Gen 3:17-18; Rom 8:20-22); and the land is polluted (Gen 4:10-12; Lev 18:25). So, what went wrong in chapter 3? Sin.
Devotional Implication: My dear friends, Sin is dangerous. Sin is the transgression of God’s Law (1 Jn 3:4). Sin is offensive to a holy God. Sin will result in guilt, sorrow, suffering, spiritual and physical death; but above all, Sin (if goes unrepented), will result in eternal death (Ps. 1:6; 9:17; 37:9; Dan 12:2; Rev. 21:8). Beloved, God does not want sin whatsoever in the life of His dear children, created in His own image! (Gen 1:26-27).
Why does God hate sin anyway? Because He is holy. Because Sin is the very antithesis of His nature: holiness. By nature we are not holy, but God is. All holiness is derived from God. Holiness is the most exalted of all His attributes. In Isaiah 6 the seraphim are saying God is "Holy, Holy, Holy” - in other words, He is the absolutely holiest. In Habakkuk 1:13, we are reminded that His eyes are purer “to behold evil.” Thus, a holy God must deal with sin, for the good of the sinner and for the glory of His name. God hates sin for the simple reason that sin separates us from Him (Isa. 59:2). Sin always brings separation: It was sin that caused Adam and Eve to run away from God and hide “among the trees of the garden” (Gen. 3:8). God hates sin because it blinds us to the Truth (Jn. 17:17; Ps. 119:105; 2 Cor. 4:4); it lessens our love for Him (1 Jn. 2:15-16); it enslaves us and will eventually destroy us (Rom. 6:16); and because sin brings death (Gen 2:17; 3:19; Pr. 21:16; Rom 6:23; 1 Cor 15:22, 56; Jas 1:15). Beloved, the fact that God hates sin means that He hates being separated from us! Therefore, His love demands restoration, which in turn demands holiness.
The Gospel’s Voice: This section is written as if God were speaking directly to you—because He does. What does the LORD say to me this morning? My son, I created you for My own glory (Isa. 43:7). You are the crown of My creation (Gen 1:26-27; Ps. 8:5). I created you to reflect My character. I, the LORD your God am holy, and therefore demands holiness. I love you so much, but there is a problem here: a deadly disease within you, namely sin — (that Specific Sin in you). I desire to be “near” you –– to commune with you (Rev. 3:20), to bless you (Ps. 5:12), to direct your paths (Pr. 3:5-6), and to lead you to the way of everlasting life (Jn 14:6; Ps. 139:24); but you must “let go” of that sin. That’s why I am inviting you to acknowledge that you have offended Me, repent of your sins, and “be holy, for I am holy” (1 Pet. 1:16). Would you?
My Desire: By God’s grace, I want to – 1. Confess: identify areas of temptation causing me the greatest concern; 2. Repent: make decisive action steps to stop breaking God’s Law; 3. Develop a habit to hate sin as God does (Heb. 1:9); 4. Submit my life to Jesus, by taking hold of the Omnipotent to give me grace and strength to be victorious of sin (Tit. 2:11-13); 5. Resist the devil, Flee from temptation, and Pray always (Jam. 4:7; Mt 24:42; 26:41)
Have A Blessed Day: “And you shall be holy to Me, for I the LORD am holy, and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be Mine.” (Leviticus 20:26).
