The theme of Paul’s letter to the Colossians is the supremacy of Christ, which is important because it highlights the need for salvation from the effects of sin. To understand this, we must examine the context of Genesis 3, where Adam and Eve’s disobedience led to sin entering the world. Satan, who had once been Lucifer in heaven, deceived Eve and distorted God’s word, leading to doubt and disobedience. This disobedience resulted in shame and the first instance of self-righteousness, emphasizing that salvation can only come through God’s grace. The passage raises the question of what the results of sin are, which can be distilled into five key outcomes.

A Loss of Righteousness

The first consequence of sin is the loss of righteousness, which refers to morally just and proper behavior encompassing attitudes, actions, and words. When Adam and Eve sinned, they became aware of their nakedness and attempted to cover themselves with fig leaves, symbolizing the loss of innocence and righteousness in a sinful world. Clothing serves as a reminder of this loss.

Separation From God

The second outcome of sin is being separated from God. After Adam and Eve sinned, they tried to cover their nakedness and then heard God coming into the Garden. They used to have a close and righteous relationship with God, and God’s visits were a regular occurrence. However, this time was different. When they heard God approaching, they hid because they realized they were no longer righteous and felt the separation from a holy God. It’s important to understand that death doesn’t mean we cease to exist; it signifies a separation. Even though Adam and Eve didn’t physically die when they sinned, they experienced spiritual death, a separation from God. When we physically die, it’s a reminder of the separation the human race experiences from God. At that moment, our spiritual condition determines what happens to us. If we are spiritually separated from God, we will be eternally separated from Him after death, with no second chances. Conversely, if we have a reconciled relationship with God, we have the promise that when we take our last breath in this life, we will take our first breath in His presence. The critical question is whether I am currently separated from God and what my eternal destiny would be if I were to die right now.

Refusal To Take Responsibility

Adam and Eve’s refusal to take responsibility for their actions is a recurring problem in the human race. Adam blamed Eve and indirectly blamed God for giving him the woman who offered the forbidden fruit. Eve, in turn, blamed the serpent. Both were avoiding accountability. This tendency to avoid responsibility is still prevalent in humanity and ultimately stems from pride. Pride, the same sin that led to Satan’s expulsion from heaven and deceived Eve, hinders us from acknowledging our disobedience to a holy God. If you’re uncertain about your eternal destiny, it’s essential to recognize that pride may be keeping you from humbling yourself and taking responsibility for your separation from God.

A Cursed Environment

The fourth consequence of sin is a cursed environment, and this truth remains evident today. I recently attempted to grow tomatoes and green peppers in my garden box, but despite some success, the plants became unruly due to weeds and overgrowth—a reflection of the cursed environment. In Genesis 3, God pronounced curses upon Adam and Eve, including the toil and sweat required for sustenance and the pain in childbirth. These curses persist today, serving as daily reminders of the fallen world we inhabit. Additionally, God cursed the serpent, possibly by removing its legs and making it crawl on its belly, as a reminder of the cursed state of the environment.

To summarize, the results of sin are:

1. A loss of righteousness.
2. Separation from God.
3. Refusal to take responsibility.
4. A cursed environment.

However, at the end of Genesis chapter three, there is a glimmer of good news when God made garments of skins to clothe Adam and Eve.

The Grace of God

It’s crucial to fully grasp what’s happening here. Holy God, whom Adam and Eve sinned against, has passed judgment on sin. To my amazement, God takes a remarkable step. He sacrifices an animal, causing it to shed its blood. God then uses the animal’s skin to make proper clothing for Adam and Eve. This is a powerful image; Adam and Eve attempted to cover themselves, but after delivering judgment on sin, the Holy God allowed an animal to lose its life, shed its blood, and provide them with suitable clothing.

In essence, Adam and Eve had to remove their old clothing and put on the new, a symbol of God’s grace. This transformation in their attire points directly to Jesus Christ. Jesus, fully human and fully God, became a perfect sacrifice, losing His life and shedding His blood for us. According to the Bible (2 Corinthians 5:21), the righteousness of Jesus is imputed to us. Just as we can’t change our clothes on our own, Adam and Eve couldn’t either. They couldn’t adequately cover themselves. Instead, God graciously provided them with proper clothing made from an animal.

Similarly, you can’t accomplish this transformation on your own. Jesus died for you and shed His blood for you. When you repent of your sin, God clothes you with the righteousness of Christ. Here’s the wonderful news: when God looks at you, He doesn’t see your sin; He sees Jesus as your advocate, declaring, “He belongs to me.” Through His grace, glory, love, justice, and holiness, God will welcome you home as a faithful servant, not because of your actions, but because Jesus Christ reigns supreme.

My Response

If I were to take my last breath in this life and my spiritual self entered eternity, the question looms: would I find myself in the presence of the Lord, or would I be separated from Him? Grasping the sobering reality that I am not righteous and am separated from God, the pivotal step is to accept responsibility for my sin. In these moments, the Apostle Paul’s words to the Romans resonate deeply:

“But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’ (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes and is justified, and with the mouth, one confesses and is saved” (Romans 10:8-10, ESV).

This response is as straightforward as the ABCs:

• A – Acknowledge that God is holy, and I have sinned against Him. In my sinful state, I stand helpless and hopeless before the holiness of God. Yet, in His grace, Holy God offers help and hope through His Son, Jesus Christ.
• B – Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior who sacrificed Himself for my sins. Belief encompasses my entire being – intellect, emotions, and will. My intellectual belief is rooted in the reasonable Gospel. Emotionally, I am humbled and broken over my sin but also elated to find a Savior in Jesus. Consequently, I make a deliberate choice to repent of my sin and turn to the magnificent Savior, Jesus Christ.
• C – Confess with my mouth that Jesus Christ is the Lord of my life. This confession embodies the essence of repentance, signifying a change of mind that leads to a transformation in attitude and actions. The initial act of confessing Jesus as Lord demonstrates my repentance and signifies His lordship over my life.