The Fall Into Sin

 
Memory Text: Romans 7:24 NASB 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?

“Scripture taken from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION”. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson Publishers. Used by Permission.

 
Sabbath Afternoon

Sunday

Rebellion in the Garden

Genesis 2:16-17 NKJV 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 "but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."

Genesis 3:2-3 NKJV 2 And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; 3 "but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.'"

Genesis 3:6 NKJV 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.

Review Genesis Chapters 1-3

Isaiah 59:2 NKJV 2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.

Genesis 3:23-24 NKJV 23 therefore the LORD God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. 24 So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.

Genesis 3:7 NKJV 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.

Genesis 3:12 NKJV 12 Then the man said, "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate."

Genesis 3:8-10 NKJV 8 And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9 Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?" 10 So he said, "I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself."

 
Monday

Slaves of Sin

2 Peter 2:19 NKJV 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage.

Romans 6:16 NKJV 16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?

Romans 5:12 NIV 12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned--

Romans 5:12 NKJV 12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned--

Romans 5:21 NKJV 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:12 NKJV 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.

Romans 7:11 NKJV 11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me.

Romans 7:17 NKJV 17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.

Romans 7:13 NKJV 13 Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful.

John 12:31 NKJV 31 "Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.

John 14:30 NKJV 30 "I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.

Romans 5:12 NKJV 12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned--

Romans 3:9-18 NKJV 9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin. 10 As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one; 11 There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. 12 They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one." 13 "Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit"; "The poison of asps is under their lips"; 14 "Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness." 15 "Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways; 17 And the way of peace they have not known." 18 "There is no fear of God before their eyes."

Romans 8:20 NIV 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope

Romans 8:20 NKJV 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope;

Romans 5:12 NKJV 12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned--

Ephesians 4:17 NIV 17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.

Ephesians 4:17 NKJV 17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind,

Tuesday

Spiritual Death

Romans 8:6-7 NIV 6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.

Romans 8:6-7 NKJV 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.

Romans 3:10 NIV 10 As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one;

Romans 3:10 NKJV 10 As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one;

Jeremiah 17:9 NIV 9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

Jeremiah 17:9 NKJV 9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?

Ecclesiastes 9:3 NKJV 3 This is an evil in all that is done under the sun: that one thing happens to all. Truly the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil; madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead.

Galatians 5:17 NKJV 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

Romans 1:21-25 NKJV 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

Matthew 15:19 NKJV 19 "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.

Genesis 3:15 NIV 15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel."

Genesis 3:15 NKJV 15 And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel."

Wednesday

Physical and Eternal Death

Genesis 2:17 NIV 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."

Genesis 2:17 NKJV 17 "but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."

Romans 5:12 NKJV 12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned--

Hebrews 9:27 NKJV 27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,

Romans 5:10-21 NKJV 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. 12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned-- 13 (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. 15 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man's offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. 16 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. 17 For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalms 88:4 NIV 4 I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am like a man without strength.

Psalms 88:4 NKJV 4 I am counted with those who go down to the pit; I am like a man who has no strength,

 
Thursday

God’s Reaction to Human Sin

Genesis 3:8-13 NKJV 8 And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9 Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?" 10 So he said, "I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself." 11 And He said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?" 12 Then the man said, "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate." 13 And the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."

Ephesians 5:6 NKJV 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

Hebrews 12:6 NKJV 6 For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives."

Revelation 20:15 NKJV 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

Revelation 21:1 NKJV 1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.

Deuteronomy 4:24-25 NKJV 24 "For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God. 25 "When you beget children and grandchildren and have grown old in the land, and act corruptly and make a carved image in the form of anything, and do evil in the sight of the LORD your God to provoke Him to anger,

Isaiah 54:8 NKJV 8 With a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment; But with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you," Says the LORD, your Redeemer.

1 Thessalonians 1:10 NIV 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead-- Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

1 Thessalonians 1:10 NKJV 10 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

 
Friday

Ellen G. White, Maranatha, p. 224

Chap. 216 - Christ Our Helper and Redeemer As by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Rom. 5:19. Because man fallen could not overcome Satan with his human strength, Christ came from the royal courts of heaven to help him with His human and divine strength combined. Christ knew that Adam in Eden, with his superior advantages, might have withstood the temptations of Satan, and conquered him. He also knew that it was not possible for man, out of Eden, separated from the light and love of God since the Fall, to resist the temptations of Satan in his own strength. In order to bring hope to man, and save him from complete ruin, He humbled Himself to take man's nature, that, with His divine power combined with the human, He might reach man where he is. He obtains for the fallen sons and daughters of Adam that strength which it is impossible for them to gain for themselves, that in His name they may overcome the temptations of Satan. . . . {Mar 224.1}

     Adam and Eve in Eden were placed under most favorable circumstances. . . . They were without the condemnation of sin. . . . The Author of their existence was their teacher. But they fell beneath the power and temptations of the artful foe. Four thousand years had Satan been at work against the government of God, and he had obtained strength and experience from determined practice. Fallen men had not the advantages of Adam in Eden. They had been separating from God for four thousand years. The wisdom to understand, and power to resist, the temptations of Satan had become less and less, until Satan seemed to reign triumphant in the earth. Appetite and passion, the love of the world and presumptuous sins, were the great branches of evil out of which every species of . . . corruption grew. {Mar 224.2}

     Our lives may seem a tangle; but as we commit ourselves to the wise Master Worker, He will bring out the pattern of life and character that will be to His own glory. And that character which expresses the glory--character--of Christ, will be received into the Paradise of God. {Mar 224.3}

     Everyone who by faith obeys God's commandments, will reach the condition of sinlessness in which Adam lived before his transgression. {Mar 224.4}

Ellen G. White, Signs of the Times, June 13, 1900

June 13, 1900 Christ's Sacrifice for Man. Man's Responsibility. We can not know God and Jesus Christ until we search the Scriptures. In this Word we find out why it was necessary for Christ to leave His high command in heaven, to separate Himself from the angelic family, laying off His royal robe and kingly crown, and clothing His divinity with humanity. For our sake He became poor, that by His poverty He might make many rich, securing for them eternal riches. That He might work in our behalf, He came to live among fallen humanity, in a world marred by sin and misery. {ST, June 13, 1900 par. 1}

     Adam listened to the temptation of Satan. He believed a lie, and thus greatly dishonored God. He had not a semblance of excuse for transgressing; and his disobedience changed his relation to God. The law can in no case pardon the transgressor. It can only condemn the guilty. Adam had to meet God over His broken law. His fatal disobedience brings out with clear prominence that of which the apostle writes, "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous." {ST, June 13, 1900 par. 2}

     Man's happiness must always be guarded by the law of God. In obedience only can he find true happiness. The law is the hedge which God has placed about His vineyard. By it those who obey are protected from evil. In transgression Adam became a law to himself. By disobedience he was brought under bondage. Thus a discordant element, born of selfishness, entered man's life. Man's will and God's will no longer harmonized. Adam had united with the disloyal forces, and self-will took the field. {ST, June 13, 1900 par. 3}

     By Christ the true standard is presented. He made it possible for man to be once more united with God. He came to take the sentence of death for the transgressor. Not one precept of the law could be altered to meet man in his fallen condition; therefore Christ gave His life in man's behalf, to suffer in his stead the penalty of disobedience. This was the only way in which man could be saved, the only way in which it could be demonstrated that it is possible for man to keep the law. Christ came to this earth and stood where Adam stood, overcoming where Adam failed to overcome. He is made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption. {ST, June 13, 1900 par. 4}

     But while the death of the Son of God saves all who repent, it speaks death to those who will not receive Christ as a personal Saviour. That which is life to the believer is death to the impenitent transgressor. The new and living way is seen and followed by those who receive Christ as their Redeemer. But upon those who refuse to accept His sacrifice, is passed the sentence of eternal death. {ST, June 13, 1900 par. 5}

     "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. . . . Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. . . . Even so by the righteousness of One the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life." Adam's fall in the Garden of Eden caused all to sin; but in the Garden of Gethsemane Christ drank the bitter cup of suffering and death, that whosoever believes in Him may not perish, but have everlasting life. {ST, June 13, 1900 par. 6}

     Before the foundation of the world, Christ pledged His word that He would give His life as a ransom if man turned from his allegiance to God. He revealed His love by humbling Himself, stooping from heaven to work among fallen, disorderly, lawless human beings. Of himself man could not possibly cope with the enemy. Christ offers Himself and all He has, His glory, His character, to the service of those who return to their loyalty and keep the law of God. This is their only hope. Christ says definitely, I came not to destroy the law. It is a transcript of God's character, and I came to carry out its every specification. I came to vindicate it by living it in human nature, giving an example of perfect obedience. {ST, June 13, 1900 par. 7}

     As Christ took upon Him this work, He saw all it would bring,--His betrayal (because of envy, pride, and love of money) by a professed follower, His trial in the judgment-hall, the scourging, the cruel death. He had led the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage into the land of Canaan. He had now come to lead them from spiritual bondage into the city of God. But they rejected Him, and delivered Him up to death. He came to His vineyard to receive the fruit thereof, but those who should have welcomed Him, said, "This is the Heir; come, let us kill Him, and let us seize on His inheritance." {ST, June 13, 1900 par. 8}

     Looking down the future, Christ saw the return that would be made for His love. He saw Himself condemned to suffer the punishment only inflicted on those most deeply sunken in crime. He saw Himself, in His humiliation, hanging on the cross, while priests and rulers looked on with exultation, saying in mockery: "He saved others; Himself He can not save. If He be the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him." {ST, June 13, 1900 par. 9}

     Christ looked down through the ages, and saw His humiliation carried into every successive generation. He heard the false testimony that He died to abrogate the law. He saw that to multitudes this error would be more palatable than the truth. The carnal mind "is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." He saw the natural mind, true to the enmity of its character, daily enacting afresh the scenes of Calvary, even down to the close of this earth's history. He saw that some would show indifference and contempt to the law of God, while others would go to greater lengths in their hatred of it, tearing down its precepts by their falsehoods and ingenious arguments. He saw that the law would be trampled upon and dishonored until God would arise to punish the inhabitants of the earth. {ST, June 13, 1900 par. 10}

     Knowing all this, Christ bore the penalty of transgression. He was crucified and buried, but He broke the fetters of the tomb, and over the rent sepulcher of Joseph He proclaimed, "I am the resurrection, and the life." He was in possession of the great gift of eternal life, and He gave gifts unto men. He sent His message of mercy and pardon to all who would receive Him as the world's Redeemer. "As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name." He has paid the price for every son and daughter of Adam, and He is abundantly able to save all who accept Him as the Sin-bearer.

Ellen G. White, God’s Amazing Grace, p. 41

Chap. 33 - The Rulership Forfeited The most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. Dan. 4:17. {AG 41.1}

     Among the lower creatures Adam had stood as king . . . ; but when he transgressed, this dominion was forfeited. The spirit of rebellion, to which he himself had given entrance, extended throughout the animal creation. Thus not only the life of man, but the nature of the beasts, the trees of the forest, the grass of the field, the very air he breathed, all told the sad lesson of the knowledge of evil. {AG 41.2}

     Not only man but the earth had by sin come under the power of the wicked one. . . . At his creation Adam was placed in dominion over the earth. But by yielding to temptation, he was brought under the power of Satan.

"Of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage" (2 Peter 2:19). When man became Satan's captive, the dominion which he held, passed to his conqueror. Thus Satan became "the god of this world" (2 Cor. 4:4). He had usurped that dominion over the earth which had been originally given to Adam. {AG 41.3}

     When Satan declared to Christ, The kingdom and the glory of the world are delivered unto me, and to whomsoever I will I give it, he stated what was true only in part, and he declared it to serve his own purpose of deception. Satan's dominion was that wrested from Adam, but Adam was the vicegerent of the Creator. His was not an independent rule. The earth is God's, and He has committed all things to His Son. Adam was to reign subject to Christ. When Adam betrayed his sovereignty into Satan's hands, Christ still remained the rightful king. . . . {AG 41.4}

     By the one who had revolted in heaven the kingdoms of this world were offered Christ, to buy His homage to the principles of evil; but He would not be bought. . . . {AG 41.5}

     Jesus gained the victory through submission and faith in God, and by the apostle He says to us, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you . . ." (James 4:7, 8). We cannot save ourselves from the tempter's power; he has conquered humanity . . . ; but "the name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe" (Prov. 18:10). {AG 41.6}