The Way Back

When something is done–or undone–it’s hard, if not impossible, to find the way back to how things were before. Broken things may be mended, but scars remain.

The history of Adam and Eve is familiar. God placed them in a beautiful Garden. He gave them responsibility to tend it. They could eat freely of the delicious fruit from any of the trees in the Garden, but one. Then Satan deceived Adam and Eve. He lied about God’s word to them. He led them to think God was withholding something good from them. They listened to Satan. They chose to eat from the one tree God clearly said was out of His will.

This deliberate act of rebellion against the God who had made them and provided for them, resulted in death. God warned them death would be the consequence of disobedience. They died spiritually as their relationship with God was broken. After a time, they also experienced physical death. The entire human race is now under the curse of sin and death. We are separated from God because of our sin nature. And mortal lives all have an expiration date.

Before they disobeyed, they could have eaten from the tree of life, which stood next to the forbidden tree. Yet they chose death. They chose rebellion and disobedience. They chose to do things their own way instead of God’s way. Because of that choice, God sent them out of the Garden, and posted an angel with a fiery sword to guard the way to the tree of life. God did not want them to live forever in their sinful state.

On the surface, it seems final. Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden. They lost access to the tree of life. Satan intended to thwart God’s plans. It appeared Satan won.

But even before Adam and Eve experienced the consequences of their disobedience, God began to show them the way back. God is the God of grace. He hinted at a Redeemer to come who would crush Satan, and remove his influence (Genesis 3:15). God did not abandon His people even in their rebellion against Him.

The rest of the Bible shows the way back to the tree of life (Revelation 22). In the years leading up to the birth of Christ, God sent prophets to write His words and to tell people to put their faith in a coming Savior. They taught God’s commandments. They taught people to seek God and His ways. They taught about God’s holiness, and His worthiness of all our praise and obedience. They taught that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 1:7) and that wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her (Proverbs 3:18).

Ultimately, Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, came to earth as our Savior. Jesus is the fulfillment of all God’s promises. Those who put their faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection find their way back to relationship with Father God. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). He has defeated Satan, and one day will destroy him.

Even now, it can appear Satan has won. Because of sin, someone’s life may be so far off track that restoration appears impossible. Those who listen to Satan’s lies often make disastrous decisions and find themselves in circumstances that seem hopeless. Jesus died for our sin. No one is beyond His redemptive reach. Jesus, at great cost to Himself paid for every one of our sins. Our part is to repent, which is to acknowledge and turn away from our sin, and turn to Him in faith. So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). In Him we have life–the abundant life of knowing Him now, and the eternal life of being with Him forever.

God has made a way back to the tree of life. All we have to do is take it.

(Jesus said,) “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but have already passed from death into life. John 5:24 NLT

 

How has God led you back to Him? Please leave a comment below.

Blessings,
Phyllis

Copyright 2025 Phyllis L. Farringer

Image by Evgeni Tcherkasski from Pixabay