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Pastor Wade Burleson
The One From Whom You Cannot Hide
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Genesis 3:8-13 (KJV)
- And they heard the voice 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 amongst the trees of
the garden.
- And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
- And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid
myself.
- And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I
commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
- And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree,
and I did eat.
- And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman
said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
"The One From Whom You Cannot Hide"
Genesis 3:8-13
The nature of sin is such that it causes people to hide. The hiding only increases in the heart
of those who have been touched by God's grace. "What (benefit) did you have then in
the things which you are now ashamed?" (Romans 6:21). Many focus on the
judgment of God in this chapter to the neglect of the grace and mercy of God in coming after
Adam and Eve in the midst of their sin and hiding. God does three things in restoring your life.
- God comes calling in order that you might come confessing.
"Then the Lord called to Adam . . ." (v.9).
- The call is always beneficial -- "Then the Lord" (v.9).
God comes calling you because sin is a deadly master and you need freedom. "But now
having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness,
and the end, everlasting life" (Romans 6:22). He loves you and redeemed you; will not let
you slip away. God pursues His own.
- The call is always personal -- "I heart Your voice in the
Garden" (v.10).
It does not say Adam heard 'footsteps'; it says, 'voice.' What was God saying? I believe God was
issuing a personal call to Adam. He called out Adam's name.
- The call is always effectual -- In this divine game of hide and seek, God
always wins. Spurgeon said the general call to all is like a sheet of lightening on the horizon, but
the personal effectual call is a bolt of lighting. How?
- God probes your memories in order that you might plead His mercy.
"Who told you?" (v.11). This is but one of four questions God asks Adam and
Eve. "Where are you?" (v.9), "Who told you" (v.11), "Have you eaten of the
tree?" (v.11), "What have you done" (v.13). Why these probing questions to them?
God needs no investigation or information. He asks for our benefit, not His own.
- God uncovers your sin through replaying it in your conscience.
- God uncovers what you cover, and covers what you uncover.
"He that covereth his sin shall not prosper, but whosoever confesseth and forsaketh them
shall have mercy." (Proverbs 28:13).
- God covers your sin by teaching you of the atonement of Christ.
The glory of the cross is found in the blood of Christ covering your sin. Never lose sight of the
cross. But does atonement lead to even more sin? "What, shall we continue in sin that grace
may increase? God forbid!" (Romans 6:1).
- God convicts you in order that He might convert you.
The evidence of a graced heart is a changed life. When God came calling Adam in the Garden,
He displayed sovereign grace. Grace will always first convict of sin, then cause one to confess
that and claim the blood of the Savior, but finally, grace will lead a person to turn from his sin
and follow paths of righteousness in joy.
"But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God,
you
have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life" (Romans 6:22).
Questions? Comments?
Pastor Wade
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