The curse: Rules or relationship

Everything changed the day Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit (Genesis 2:17; 3:6), but not just for Adam and Eve. In particular the serpent is cursed and the ground is cursed. Now working the soil requires that we deal with thorns and thistles,  and by the sweat of our brow (Genesis 3:17, 18). Murphy's law kicks in “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong."  And deep down we know that there's something seriously wrong with what was initially created perfect (1:31). It's the curse, and it's part of the death, both physical and spiritual,  that happen as a result of the fall (Ephesians 2:1)

If  a single disobedience to the command seems too small a thing for everything to change, consider the  Biblical picture of the fly in the ointment (Ecclesiastes 10:1). To obey the one simple command should not honestly have been a big deal.  In fact obedience is no big deal when you heart is right with God. John puts it this way “This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3).  And the essence of His commandments are that we love Him passionately,  and love our neighbour as ourselves (Mark 12:30-34). And like the loving Father He is, He has only our very best interest at heart. What He wants is relationship. In fact relationship with Him is the very essence of Kingdom life (John 17:3).  The fruit of a heart that is right with God includes love, joy, peace, goodness,  gentleness etc. (Galatians5:22).   But a lukewarm heart does not cut it (Revelation 3:16). A recovery saying advises “half measures profited us nothing!”

As mentioned earlier when we're walking in obedience,  His  “perfect love casts out all fear” (1 John 4:17, 18).  This side of the fall this is a process, and God is so holy that when God reveals Himself to us, we can be terrified (Acts 9:5;  2 Corinthians 5:11; Revelation 6:16).  And this can lead to choosing rules over relationship. When the children of Israel heard the voice from the midst of the darkness, while the mountain was burning with fire they replied  “If we hear the voice of the LORD our God anymore, then we shall die. You go near and hear all that the LORD our God may say, and tell us all that He says to you, and we will hear and do it” (Deuteronomy 5:25, 27). They were choosing rules over relationship. But when we chose rules, then we will be blessed if we obey, but cursed if we disobey (Deuteronomy 11:26-28).  And the problem is,  that in many things we all fail.

Father, since all have sinned and fallen short of Your Glory (Romans 3:23), no one can be made right with You by following rules. In fact the Law (rules) are there to show us our need of Your salvation. Thank you Lord Jesus that You became a curse for us,  so that in a divine exchange we can be blessed (Galatians 3:13, 14). For these and many other things we give You thanks and praise in Your precious Name Amen