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Because of modern day genetic information, some scientists believe everyone could have come from a common set of parents. It can be demonstrated that the wide variety of skin colors could have originated from one man and one woman.¹ According to the Bible, God made from one blood every nation of men (Acts 17:26). ¹ More information at: www.icr.org/mitochondrial-eve

Thus, the Bible is truthful when it reveals that God created our first parents, Adam and Eve. They were made in God’s image and lived in perfect harmony with their Creator. They had only one command to keep—they were not to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. For their good, God warned them that if they ate the fruit they would surely die (Genesis 2:17).

Would Adam and Eve trust God?

Satan is a powerful, intelligent angel who rebelled against God, his Creator. “Satan” means adversary (or enemy). Satan tempted Adam and Eve, causing them to doubt God and His word. They chose to disobey God and ate the forbidden fruit. They trusted Satan’s lie rather than the Lord. As a result, the Bible says their eyes were opened and they knew they were naked. Then they covered themselves with fig leaves and hid from God (Genesis 3:7,8). Why did they do this? They were experiencing things they had never known before—fear, guilt, and shame.

What happened to their relationship with God?

All relationships require trust. How can you have a relationship with someone you don’t trust? God expected them to trust in Him. Their lack of trust resulted in disobedience that brought death to their relationship with God just as He had warned. Their sin separated them from their Creator.

How would their decision affect the human race?

Through Adam, sin and death would affect all of humanity (Romans 5:12). Sin is anything you do that God says is wrong in thought, word, or deed. Because of Adam, we are born with a sin nature that separates us from God. For this reason we choose to sin—“all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). “There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10).

Will God punish sin?

God is holy—He dwells “in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see” (1 Timothy 6:16). In His holiness, God could not remain a friend of sinful man. He told Moses, “…no man shall see Me, and live” (Exodus 33:20). If you die in this condition, you will spend eternity apart from God in a place the Bible calls the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:14). “These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power” (2 Thessalonians 1:9).

What could Adam and Eve do?

They tried to make things right by covering themselves with fig leaves. But they were helpless to do anything that could restore their relationship with God. God required someone to pay the penalty for their sin. They needed a substitute to die in their place—“for the life of the flesh is in the blood … for it is blood that makes atonement for the soul” (Leviticus 17:11). The Lord provided animal skins for them as a temporary covering for their sin instead of fig leaves. The animal sacrifices served as a substitute for the sinner, pointing to the future complete and final sacrifice—the person of JESUS CHRIST—“The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). In Jesus “we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Ephesians 1:7).

GOOD NEWS — Jesus is our Substitute!

Jesus as God became man—fully God and fully Man (John 1:1,14; Philippians 2:6-8). He lived a sinless life and qualified to be the perfect substitute (1 Peter 2:22). Jesus, as an infinite Being, could pay the infinite sin debt of humanity. He carried “our sins in His own body on the tree [cross]” (1 Peter 2:24). He was crucified that He “might taste death for everyone” (Hebrews 2:9).

Can salvation be earned by good works?

Salvation (or deliverance from sin and eternal death) is a free gift from God. It cannot be earned. No religious rituals or good works can deliver you from eternal death, nor can they earn you eternal life. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

How is the gift of God received?

Any gift must be accepted. God’s gift must be received by faith. Faith (trust) in the person and work of Jesus Christ is the only condition for receiving forgiveness of sins and everlasting life. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8,9). In the Bible, faith is simply believing what God says is true.

What must you do to receive everlasting life and forgiveness of sins?

First, agree with God that you are a helpless sinner like Adam and Eve, separated from your Creator and deserving eternal death. Understand that “Christ died for our sins … that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). Jesus, fully God and fully Man, came as your Substitute to take the punishment for your sins by His death on the cross. Trust in Jesus alone as the One who died for you, was buried, and rose again to grant you everlasting life and to restore you to a right relationship with Himself. Why not trust in Jesus to save you today? “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).

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