In the beginning of God's plan for mankind, God made available to Adam and Eve His gift of eternal life represented by the tree of life (Genesis 2:9-16).
This tree represented choosing to believe in and obey God's revealed will, embracing His way of life.
The garden contained another tree as well, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (verse 9).
This tree represented something altogether different—man choosing his own way of life rather than following God's revelation —deciding for himself what is good and evil.
Influenced by Satan, Adam and Eve made a fundamental choice that has affected humanity ever since.
They chose to take of the wrong tree, eating the forbidden fruit. Refusing to believe and obey God, they came under the dominion of Satan and the penalty for sin—suffering and death (Genesis 2:17).
Because of their disobedience, God told them of their sure fate: "You [shall] return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return" (Genesis 3:19).
It is important to realize that God's original plan to give mankind eternal life, which was rejected by Adam and Eve, is available to each of us today as a result of God's personal calling.
The redemption plan of God is a plan to rescue humanity and the material universe from the now inevitable divine judgment for evil.
It is initiated by God and is spread throughout the Bible. The plan of redemption can be seen figuratively in Genesis 3 and then shows up in almost every book of the bible in some way or another, often in bits and pieces.
God's redemption plan centers around the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The plan is based on the truth that all human beings are inherently sinful and incapable of reconciling themselves with a perfect and holy God.
Sin, which includes both individual wrongdoings and a general state of separation from God, leads to spiritual and moral brokenness, and ultimately results in eternal separation from God.
To address this problem, God sent Jesus Christ, his only Son, into the world. Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life, and his sacrificial death on the cross is the atoning act that offers forgiveness and salvation to humanity.
Through his death, Jesus took upon himself the punishment that humanity deserved for their sins, thereby reconciling humanity with God.
The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of God's redemption plan. It signifies victory over sin and death and provides eternal life.
Through faith in Jesus and acceptance of his sacrifice, individuals can experience salvation and be reconciled with God.
This redemption is a gift from God, offered freely to all who believe and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
God's redemption plan is not limited to personal salvation but also encompasses the restoration of all creation.
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