Relationships Now and Then
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Feb 20, 2024
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Relationships Now and Then Relationships Now and Then
CCN-655-0500 Biblical Concepts-Healthy Relationships: Forgiveness & Healthy Spirituality
Melissa Wood
Sharee Simmons
November 15, 2023
Relationships Now and Then Introduction
Adam and Eve, the first humans, underwent a transition from a state of perfect obedience to God and innocence to one of immoral disobedience within the Christian framework. This transition is referred to as "The Fall of Man." The Fall of Man, according to many Christians, distorted the universe as God had originally fashioned human nature. The deception of Adam and
Eve resulted in the inception of iniquity in humanity. A separation developed between man and God and His elegance. As a result of His benevolence and love, God supernaturally manifested Himself as Jesus, the only-begotten son. Man fell because of Adam's transgression. Sin refers to any human conduct, thought, or language that deviates from the divine will. Because of Adam's transgression, God imposed a curse on the entire creation, including the soil, vegetation, animals,
and human beings (Genesis 3:14–19). One and only Jesus is sufficiently anointed to act on behalf
of humanity as a Savior. Man will once more be reconciled with God because of His execution, which will serve as a ransom and grant us the opportunity to reside in His kingdom.
“The Fall” Before and After
The comparison of the world that existed before sin and the world today is unsettling. There is widespread sickness and suffering. Wars are constantly raging in some parts of the world, and even closer to home, people behave viciously toward one another. The fall of man distorted every relationship in some new and unexpected way. It altered our connection with ourselves, with other people, and with the natural world. Genesis 2:25 says that before the fall, man and woman were both nude, but they did not feel shame about it. At one point in his history,
man lacked the cognitive capacity to differentiate between good and evil. (Genesis 3:17) Immediately after the fall, Adam and Eve became humiliated by their nakedness because they realized how quickly it had happened. The experience of shame caused a shift in man's
Relationships Now and Then relationship with himself. Because of their disobedience and shame, we all battle with our sense of value as individuals. The most important thing for us right now is to recover our sense of value and worth. Sin is also responsible for the breakdown of man's relationships with other people. Not long after that, Adam and Eve's relationship began to show signs of strain. Adam blamed Eve and God, while Eve blamed Satan (Genesis 3:8-13). There was blame being cast from both ends of the situation. There was a sense of blame, dread, and embarrassment, but there
was no remorse, and they did not repent of their actions. The disobedience of man resulted in a loss of righteousness, a separation from God, a curse being placed upon the earth, the introduction of physical death, and the requirement that people cover their nakedness with clothing. Every connection started to deteriorate after that. Cain, not even a short time after the fall, is said to have murdered his sibling Abel (Genesis 4:8). Soon after man's creation, God began to deeply regret having done so. Because of Noah's virtuous behavior, God was able to spare humanity from extinction even though he had originally intended to wipe off humanity with a catastrophic flood. As a result of the fall, there was a shift not only in the connection between man and nature but throughout the entire world. In the beginning, the earth brought forth a wide variety of fruits; however, after the fall, it became increasingly difficult to bring forth fruits. The Fall caused the ground to be cursed by God. He caused a great number of thorns and thistles to grow among the crops that man needed to cultivate. According to Genesis 3:17–
19, God designed the new world in such a way that it would force man to toil and suffer for the rest of his life.
Relationship Conflict
Disobedience to God by Adam and Eve constituted the first human offense. They irreparably damaged human nature, endowing all subsequent generations with the inclination to
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Relationships Now and Then transgress. As a result of the fall, contemporary relationships are perpetually entangled in immorality. Presently, individuals are not only transgressing morally against one another but also
against God (Grand Canyon, 2016). Men were formed in the affection of God. God desired to reclaim humanity from Satan. Jesus descended to earth to repair the relationship between man and God. The rationale behind the current situation is explicated in Genesis through the following: the dilemma of sin, suffering, pain, mortality, judgment, and the formation of heaven and hell. Due to the existence of sin, our lives have become intricate and inventive. As a result of
sin, we are now hampered by anguish and pain; therefore, we must develop the capacity to forgive, as well as exhibit compassion, love, and optimism. When we endure suffering, our faith in God is weakened. Because of this, life has become challenging, and man must now exercise his or her free will by making moral decisions. Adam and Eve's disobedience presented a decision to man. Erroneous decisions can result in human suffering and anguish. However, due to the eternal kindness of God, we possess the freedom and understanding to reason and to discern between right and wrong.
Engagement in Conflict
Adam and Eve's wicked fall was a devastating event for the whole creation (Wolters, 2005). Sin affected all of God's creation. Disobedience against God has impacted structures such as families, technology, and bodily functions (e.g., eating). Paul says in Romans “that groaning has been as of childbirth pains until the future times.” Since the fall, marriages have suffered. Divorce and infidelity damage God's creation. Society is putting pressure on families, with parents ignoring their children for work. Distortion is taking over politics. All around, distortion. The sins of adultery, blasphemy, murder, and theft have violated God's plan for humanity. Other human distortions include emotional disorders and mental ailments. In 1 Corinthians 11:3, the
Relationships Now and Then primary cause of human sin has been linked to physical illness. Disobedience and guilt are the driving forces behind all global issues. Fall consequences also affect non-humans. According to Genesis 3:17, God cursed the earth. Adam and Eve's choices affected all mankind. The fall of man affects everything under heaven and earth, which seeks freedom in Christ. When someone has a personal relationship with Jesus, He begins the repair process, which lasts a lifetime. Jesus returning and completing good work is worth pursuing. Man was meant to enjoy God's perfect works. They were free to eat from any tree except the Tree of Knowledge. That Tree of Knowledge lured us to sin. Man was created Holy and sinless in God's image. Since Adam and Eve disobeyed, God and evil have fought every day. The gospel centers on the fall, redemption, and reconciliation. Man can be saved from a fallen world through Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection.
Relationships Now and Then References: CCN-655 topic 1 overview: Purpose of relationships. (n.d.). Grand Canyon University. Retrieved
November 11, 2023, from https://halo.gcu.edu/resource/bd855931-6956-479a-ac64-
7f2b47ffe5df?nestedResourceId=08d1af5e-9cb5-422b-9905-2099088381ef
King James Bible Online (2023). https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/
Wolters, A. M. (2005). Creation regained: Biblical basics for a Reformational worldview. Grand
Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Pub.
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