- The Reason of the Fall
The fall of the man is due to his own decision and rebellion against God. Man himself is the cause for his fall. He was not made to fall but was tempted by the tempter. For the Bible says God never tempt, temptation never come from God (James 1: 13 – 15). James explains here that Adam was not tempted by God, nor made to be tempted. God kept the tree of the knowledge of good and evil to test his love and faith for Him. Temptation is an evil thing, and therefore cannot be from God. God can not use evil thing to tempt any one. He cannot and will not take the help of evil for His purpose. Rather he turns the evil towards the good of His children. Paul says in Romans where the sin increases the grace of God increase much more. (Rom 5:20). Evil and temptation comes from the devil. Bible clearly says that devil came and tempts the woman. God only test His children.
In the story the fall of man, Adam and Eve were given a test of obedience from God and a temptation to disobey from the devil. Thus, neither God is responsible nor the devil to be blamed for the fall of man.
Man decided to disobey God and obey devil. He to choose rebelled against God’s grace and love. Man decided to become like God and lost the image & likeness of God. It is he who wanted to be become like God. Eve listed to the tempter and obliged Adam to participate. Eve listened to the devil and Adam loved Eve than the love of God. Eve was tempted and Adam rebelled against God. Both of them heard the voice of devil and forsook the commandment of the Lord. Thus man himself is his reason for his fall.
- The Result of the Fall
The consequences of the fall are broken relationship:
The Relationship with God was broken.
Sin made man the enemy of God (Rom 5:10). Bible declares with a majestic statement that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Rom 3: 23). It is to say where there is sin there is fall. Sin is nothing but missing the standard of God. Man kind cannot match the standard and mark of God because he is sinful.
When God came to meet Adam and Eve they hide themselves and were fearful. They failed to cover their nakedness by their own works of the hands.
They could not meet the standard of God by which they use to walk with Him. The reason is the relationship was broken.
The Relationship with Fellow creatures was broken.
When God came down and asked why they hide themselves and ate the fruit Adam and Eve began to blame each other. They were not prepared to take their fault on themselves nor were willing to confess their sin to God. It is to say they did not trust each other and become selfish. Their relationship as husband and wife was ruined due to their rebellion. The creation is against him now. Violence, vengeance, rebellion came into the creation due to man and man could not have the same relationship with the creation any more.
- The Remedy of the Fall
God called Adam & Eve : The Sovereign Knowledge of God
In his sovereign knowledge God knew the fall of mankind thus cam to rescue His creature. We notice in the Genesis that Adam and Eve went away from the presence of God hide themselves instead of seeking God’s help in confession. It is God who came seeking them and called them by name.
When ever mankind is in trouble and bondage of Satan and world, it is God who sends his servants, leaders to redeem them. Jesus said, “I came to seek which was lost and save...” (Luke 19:10).
God clothed Adam & Eve : The Grace of God
This is wonderful picture of God grace in Jesus Christ. He clothed them with the skin of a lamb. God shed an innocent blood to cover the weakness of man. In the same way Jesus shed His blood on the cross to cover all our sin and save us from His wrath. This shows his grace of God.
God punished Adam & Eve : The Love of God
Adam and Eve were punished by God and the devil was cursed too. Adam had to work hard to live and Eve had to go through the pain of child birth. Ground brought out thistles, thorns and troubles to them.
Though death immediately entered in to world, God promised man to save him from the death.
Death came in to the world in 3 kinds :
1. Spiritual death: Separation from God
2. Physical death : Separation from Body
3. Eternal death : Separation from Heaven
And the love of God was portrayed in 3 ways:
1. The love of God was proved by punishing them. (Heb 12: 5 – ff). God did not alienate them nor condemned them to hell immediately, for He had planned for man an eternal life.
2. The love of God was provided by promising them a Savior (Gen 3: 27). God’s love was sown to them with an eternal plan of salvation. God promise that the Savior would come and save them from the curse of sin.
3. The love of God protected them by prophesying. The devil was cursed and condemned to eternal defeat by the Seed of Woman, i.e. Messiah born through the virgin would crush the head and defeat the devil. Jesus Christ came to this world defeated the devil and His works; he died on the cross and defeated the enemy.