And the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. Genesis 3:22-23

It was the shot heard around the world.

A moment that changed everything – one with eternal consequences.

Paradise eviction.

He is the Lord Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth.

Abundant in power.

Formed humans out of dust.

By His breath, we breathe.

Is there anything He does not know?

In Him all things are held together.

Either God is in control or He isn’t.

And the Lord God commanded man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” Genesis 2:16-17

He knew.

He always knew.

He knew what Adam and Eve would choose before they chose it.

Was it all a cruel joke, a set up?

There is no love without freedom.

God is love – in Him there is no darkness.

Love is not control.

The very act of choosing demonstrates who and what I love.

To truly love and worship requires choice.

Freewill.

God gave us the ability to choose because we are created to give and receive love.

Love is demonstrated and transported through my choices.

A gift I choose to give or withhold.

God gave humanity the gift of freewill and choice even knowing what we’d choose.

Knowing we’d choose our will over Him.

He knew given the ability, humanity would choose to set themselves apart, be their own god, attempt to know what He knows.

It cast angels out of Heaven.

A God coup.

Jesus wasn’t Plan B.

Nothing happens outside of God’s sovereignty or knowledge.

We didn’t surprise Him or mess up His plan.

He always knew the price of love.

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

There is no love without freedom.

In order to choose God, we must also have the ability to not choose Him.

Reject Him.

Walk away from Him.

Rebel against Him.

But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:8

He knew what we’d choose – then and now.

He was always willing to bear the cost.

Love lets go.

It doesn’t coerce or control.

Rules of men masked as religion promotes the lie of condition and omission.

I’m okay, you’re okay.

Us and them.

God so loved the world, He gave.

While we were soaked in sin and self, He left Heaven’s throne to deliver us.

A rescue mission of redemption.

God knew what we’d do – He made a way where there was no way.

A body bridge.

Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace.

Word made man.

The Great I am.

Humbled unto death.

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23

Jesus wasn’t Plan B.

The Author of life gave love through freewill.

He always knew the price of that gift was Himself.

He loves me enough to let me choose.

His ways or mine.

Do I obey His commands or go my own way?

Am I willing to make the sacrifices real love demands?

Love that is patient and kind.

Love that does not boast or envy.

Love that isn’t rude or easily angered.

Love that keeps no record of wrongs.

Love that protects, trusts, hopes.

Perseveres.

Puts others first.

I must choose it.

Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven. Then come, follow Me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Matthew 19:21-22

I can’t serve two masters.

Loving and serving involves sacrifice.

Losing to gain.

What good is it to gain the whole world yet lose my soul?

Choose this day whom I will serve.

More often than not, I choose me.

My ways seem so harmless and after all, I’m under grace – God understands.

“If you love Me, obey my commandments.” –Jesus, John 14:15

I want to believe it doesn’t matter.

God doesn’t really expect me to follow His commands.

Jesus died to set me free.

Twisted grace.

Relationship rape.

The world misses the Messiah because many who claim Him look and live the same. Click To Tweet

I seek and ask yet His Word has already answered.

Love your enemies.

Forgive seventy times seven.

Give to the poor.

Preach the gospel.

And He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him who for their sake died and was raised. 2 Corinthians 5:15

Die to live.

His life for mine.

Living sacrifice.

Sin is taking the good gifts of God and twisting them for purposes not intended.

• Love

• Sex

• Financial blessing

• Intellect

• Creativity

• Beauty

• Freewill

In His love and mercy, God allows me to use the gifts He gives as I choose.

He allows me to worship the Creator or the created.

It began in the Garden.

A choice, a decision to take and eat.

Rebel and step out of God’s boundaries.

Self service.

They exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator – who is forever praised. Amen. Romans 1:25

The battle continues today.

The remedy remains.

Jesus, the way, the truth and the life.

No one returns except through Him.

Garden’s gate.

Love is in the choosing – revealed in what I seek.

He delights in unveiling Himself to those who search with sincere hearts.

Love of God, not rules of men.

Judge not, lest I be judged.

God broke and bled to give.

Give choice.

Give love.

Give life everlasting.