Devotional: Doctrines: Mankind

Reflection

Read Genesis chapter 3 & 4

Then Matthew chapter 4

Discussion

Comparing these two scenes we find a lot of similarity.  Both show Satan as the antagonist.  Both show a pure creation of God in human for as the protagonist.  Both involved temptation to disobey the instructions laid out by God.  Both of these also include the same three elements of sin: lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, pride of life.  In the little book of 1 John we find these words:

 

1 John 2:15-17

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world–the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life–is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

 

All that the world offers is in opposition to all that the Lord requires of His people.  We see that with Even in the garden and with Jesus in the wilderness.  One of those two overcomes to elevate God’s people above the world systems.  One of them falls to the temptation and subjects all of her descendents to a lifelong curse.

 

If we get honest, we are in the same scene daily.  Satan is the prince of this world and as long as we are on it He is working daily to drive a wedge between God and man.  Satan’s goal has not changed since he was cast from heaven: to usurp the throne of God granting all glory to himself.

Connection

What is lust of the flesh?

 

What is lust of the eyes?

 

What is the pride of life?

 

What tools has the Lord equipped you with to overcome the world as His disciple?

 

Expansion

Mankind

God created mankind in His own image with two genders: male and female designed to compliment each in a monogamous marriage unit.  At creation the first man and woman were sinless and tasked with tending God’s creation.  While Adam and Eve were created to glorify God, they disobeyed launching themselves and all of mankind after them into sinfulness and separation from God.  Because of our fallen nature, all of mankind is damned to hell and unable to justify themselves before God without the grace of God providing redemption of their souls through faith in Christ alone.

Genesis 1:27-28, Genesis 2:7, Colossians 1:16, Deuteronomy 6:5, Isaiah 43:6-7, 1 Corinthians 10:31, Matthew 5:16, Genesis 3:1-8, Psalm 51:5, Isaiah 6:5, Romans 3:9-23, Romans 5:12, Ephesians 2:1-3, Romans 5:18, 1 Corinthians 15:22