Our passion for certain things can take us to places we ought not go. My husband and I went for a drive and we passed through a field. It looked to be the only place with a driveway. It also happened to be a place where Mt. Hood was in sight. At that specific point in time, my mind was intent on taking a picture of the view I honestly did not see and was momentarily blinded to the “No Trespassing” sign. I had only become aware of my trespass after someone came and informed me of the sign I was oblivious to. Had I seen it, the embarrassment and trespass could have been avoided. Assuming it was the landowner or caretaker I had spoken to, he was gracious enough to let me finish taking the picture. I did apologize to the man. It was the first thing that came out of my mouth.
At first instinct, Eve should have severed the conversation with the serpent since she was aware it spoke contrary to God, but it spoke of novel ideas which challenged God’s order. It also offered something that intrigued her.
“Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
Genesis 3:4-5 NKJV
It can take just a warning for a few to get the point (John 5:14), but there are people who need repeated warnings to acknowledge transgression. In some cases, it can take being afflicted with an incurable disease for one to be brought to a place of humility. Some choose to humble themselves and some choose not to give up what they are holding too tightly, whatever that may be.
“So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
18 He said to Him, “Which ones?”
Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ 19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”
20 The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”
21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
With God All Things Are Possible
23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.
25 When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”
26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:17-26 NKJV
“To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever.
Amen.”
Jude 25
Novelty and passion may have its allure, but only God alone is wise. Everyone can pretend to forget God, but He remains. People return to dust and their philosophies forgotten. However, there is part of humanity that is part of God thereby making it eternal, the soul. I rest in Christ’s finished work and in the fact that my soul finds rest in Him.
Related read: Her Name Is Paz