It seems like things are getting worse all the time. The old political and economic institutions are becoming destabilized, and our religious institutions often reflect only popular opinion instead of providing a moral compass. Not only is behavior now accepted that was condemned in most pulpits a couple of decades ago, but disapproval of such behavior is often considered hate speech.
Adam and Eve were initially created in a perfect environment. There wasn’t any conflict with each other, or with God. As long as they allowed their Creator to lead them, they lived in harmony. But eventually, deceived by Satan the Devil, they decided to determine what is good and evil for themselves. This is what is meant when it’s recorded in Genesis that they took of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Satan the devil caused them to question God and His judgement.
As a result, ever since Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden, every human endeavor has been a mixture of good and evil. Every human government, economic system, educational system, and humanity’s concepts of morality and religion have been influenced by “the god of this age.” (2 Corinthians 4:4)
But there is good news. In the same Genesis account there’s a vital prophecy foretelling how, in the midst of all this human chaos, God is going to take charge. Genesis 3:15 tells us a child, born of woman, would have his heel struck by the serpent, but would finally crush the serpent’s head. This is the earliest prophecy in Scripture of the coming Messiah, which will find ultimate fulfillment when Jesus Christ returns to the earth and takes control.
There was also another tree in the Garden of Eden. It was the tree of life. This tree represents the eternal life God will give to those who turn to Him. In the closing chapter of the Bible, John was inspired to write, “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life” (Revelation 22:14). Even in the chaos of our world, there are actions you can take to make God the centre of your life:
First of all we should admit we have all contributed to the mess the world is in. Then we should begin to actively seek a meaningful spiritual relationship with our Creator by putting first things first: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things [daily life needs] shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). This involves heartfelt prayer in which we ask God to forgive us and a determination to submit to His will.
A second step in letting God have control of our life is to trust in His goodness. Adam and Eve didn’t do this. They believed Satan’s lie that God was withholding something exciting and pleasurable from them. They didn’t believe God had their best interests at heart.
The prophecy of Genesis 3:15 hasn’t been completely fulfilled yet, but God is still in control and will send His Son a second time to remove Satan and set up God’s Kingdom on earth. Then Jesus Christ, as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, will create a new society based on God’s ways.
