Adam and Eve had a sweet thing going on in the garden. Created in the very image of God and blessed by God with these words: “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” (Genesis 1:28b)
As my pastor says, Adam wasn’t a glorified gardener with a hoe and rake – he was blessed by God to have dominion over the earth and everything in it (paraphrased). But we all know the story of Adam and Eve’s fall from grace. No longer did the first couple walk in the perfect conditions of the garden, talking with their God – they were banished from the garden and began a life of toil and sweat.
“Then to Adam He said, ‘Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’:
Cursed is the ground for your sake;
In toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life.
Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you,
And you shall eat the herb of the field.
In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground,
For out of it you were taken;
For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.” Genesis 3:17-19
That would be a very unhappy ending to the story of mankind – if it was indeed the ending.
But God had other plans. In the fullness of time came a Savior – the One in whom all things are restored to the Father. You and I were created, just as Adam and Eve were, to fellowship with God – to walk and talk with Him. In Christ, this heavenly relationship is restored. In Christ, the blessing of God is restored – to “be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
A great promise was given to Abraham along this road to restoration: “I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12:2-3)
It is a mistake to believe that in Christ, we must remain under the curse pronounced over Adam – that “cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life”. We are no longer under the curse. But the enemy has used tradition and, many times, religious teaching, to make us believe that although we are saved and on our way to heaven, we must toil under the curse of sin until the day that we leave this earth.
There is a difference between toil and work. Toil means a “long strenuous fatiguing labor” (Merriam-Webster). Work means “a specific task, duty, function, or assignment often being a part or phase of some larger activity”.
We are to take our place in the Kingdom of God
“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” Galatians 3:13-14
So, come on and join me as I say – I ain’t workin’ here (under the curse) no more! I am blessed to be a blessing – the favor of God is upon my life! Amen!
Rhonda J. Roughton
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