The Rotten Fruit of Religion

This week I'm preaching on one of the most famous passages in the Bible - Genesis 3. I love this passage for many reasons, not the least of which is because it establishes both our need for AND God's promise of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. One of the major elements of the passage which is overlooked by some readers is verse 7 - is where Adam and Eve realize they are naked for the very first time and they end up sewing fig leaves together in order to cover themselves.

I've heard many people say that after Adam and Eve rebelled - we immediately see the sin of murder (referring to Genesis 4 and the story of Cain and Abel). While that tragic event is indeed a significant development in the story of the fall of humanity - it is NOT the first sin following the fall. In fact, the first sin after their initial rebellion was NOT more blatant rebellion. Far from it! In reality, it was a sad turning to RELIGION. Yes, that's right, religion!

Rather than running into the loving arms of a forgiving God in the quest for restoration, Adam and Eve tried to cover their own shame by the work of their own hands. This is classic religious legalism in its rawest form. And what was the result of the very first act of religion recorded in the Bible? The same thing legalism creates today, including...

1) Secrecy - Adam knew he had sinned, so he "hid" from God

2) Fear - Adam told God, "I was afraid, so I hid"

3) Judgmentalism - Adam blamed Eve (and he even tried to blame God for giving creating Eve), and Eve blamed the serpent

I'm sure there are more items I could add to the list, but these three illustrate my point very well. Secrecy, fear and judgmentalism are all evidence of the rotten fruit of religion. If you or someone you know is part of a religious movement where these realities exist, perhaps it is time to consider whether Jesus had something better in mind for you when He hung on the cross to forgive ALL of your sins. The Apostle Paul wrote: "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery" (Galatians 5:1).

If you are striving to "live for God" by surrendering yourself to rigorous disciplinary techniques, harsh self-denial or other shame-based, guilt-ridden approaches, why not be done with that and instead trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ once and for all? Why wallow in that pit of self-deprecation when Jesus has offered to live His supernatural life through you, rather than you striving to "live for Him"? This subtle but crucial shift in your understanding can make all the difference in the world as you begin to realize that true godliness comes as the result of RESTING in Him rather than WRESTLING against yourself.