Are you hiding?
Blog written by Pastor Charlie of Four Soils Ministry Adam, where are you? Charlie, where are you? Sue, where are you? Are we hiding from God and others? Welcome to foursoilsministry blog on improving personal relationships When God created man (Adam and Eve) they were naked (transparent) before God and themselves and were unashamed. They we totally open and truthful with one another. (Genesis chapter 2) But after they disobeyed God, they covered up (felt guilty), hid (felt afraid), blamed each other and refused to take responsibility for their actions. (Genesis chapter 3) Solutions to all of man’s problems can be found in God’s Word (the Bible). The purpose of this blog and of Four Soils Ministry is to encourage the understanding and application of God’s Word. This blog allows us to discuss relationship issues using God’s Word as a guide and asking the Holy Spirit to intervene and give us the wisdom to apply God’s principles. Please feel free to ask any question or provide comments about how one can develop healthy personal relationships. In the book of 2 Timothy, Paul tells Timothy that he had been taught the Holy Scriptures from childhood, and they had given him the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. Paul goes on to say that all of Scripture is inspired by God, that it is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives, that it straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right, that it is God’s way of preparing us in every way, and that it fully equips us for every good thing God wants us to do. (2 Tim 3:15-17)
Initially at creation every thing was very good between Adam, Eve and God. Adam and Eve were totally transparent before God and each other. They had no sin or any thing to hide or cover up. God walked and talked with them on a regular basis. However we get a picture of what sin (violation of trust) does to a relationship. Once they sinned against God their relationship becomes one of shame, guilt, and fear. They start to hide, blame, and cover up.
This is what happens to our relationships when we violate or break our trust relationship.
Comment by Pastor Charlie — March 24, 2006 @ 6:04 pm
In Genesis chapter three after Adam and Eve confess their disobedience to God, He gives them a coat of skins. This starts the revelation of God allowing a substitute (an animal sacrifice) to pay our sin debt. For God had already said that death was required for disobedience. Our death fore sin would be justice, death of another in our place would be grace.
Receiving forgiveness is a key ingredient for fixing broken relationships. This has to be with God first, and then with man. 1 John 1:9 says If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
This is the first step in resolving any broken relationship.
Comment by Administrator — April 5, 2006 @ 12:14 am
Before Adam and Eve disobeyed God the Bible says they were both naked and unashamed before God and each other. However once they sinned (disobeyed God), they felt guilty (condemned) and put on fig leaves to cover-up and also tried to hide from God when He came.
Again this is a picture of a broken relationship. Broken relationships are nothing more than a person hiding from another because one party has broken the trust relationship between the two parties. This relationship can only be restored between the two parties, by coming out of hiding and confessing the transgression and asking and receiving forgiveness.
Restoration of a relationship between God or between two humans is only possible after this takes place.
Genesis chapter 2 & 3 is a good place to start trying to understand this problem/solution pair.
We need to start rebuilding any relationship by first being sure our relationship with God is correct. John 3:18 states there is no condemnation (guilt feeling) in Christ, but those not in Christ are condemned already (in a state of guilt, blaming, hiding, and covering up).
Matthew chapter five list the Beatitudes (blessed=happy is he that —). These are some steps in restoring and maintaining healthy relationships. These Beatitudes list seven characteristics that make up the Christian character and make for happy wholesome relationships.
Comment by Pastor Charlie — May 16, 2006 @ 8:57 pm