Obedience is required - Genesis chapter 3

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The fall of mankind has taught us that God does not look the other way when we error, make mistakes, or choose to sin against standards He has put in place for our good. No, He  addresses, confronts our missteps, and He holds us accountable.

The fall of man in Genesis chapter 3, shows us not only the inherited root of all sinful desires innate in man, but also God's response to our blatant disobedience as a parent, a loving father.

At Genesis 3:14-15 God gave Satan, the main protagonist and antagonist in this plot, his final judgment that we will have the privilege of seeing fulfilled in the future. In verse 16, God stated the sentence or punishment for Eve's role, her part of disobeying God. We as women are still feeling the effects of her bad decision to this very day. And verses 17 through 19, God states to Adam his sentence or punishment for the role he played. Our men, brothers too are still feeling the effects of the bad decision Adam made to this very day.

God could have taken a different route and terminated mankind from the historical records right then and there. Terminating the human race forever. Or He could have wiped out Adam and Eve and made two more humans who will get it right and not make the same mistakes Adam and Eve did. You know, like the TV series Travellers, where a group of people were sent back in time to the 21st century to change the bad decisions of a few selected people so that the future world will turn out right.

Any rate, God lovingly decided to extend grace and mercy to Adam and Eve, despite their mistake and point them in the right direction they need to go. God did not shame them, abandon them, reject them, or left them in want. But He held them accountable, allowed them to feel the full efforts from their bad decisions. They no longer could benefit from ALL of God's provisions and blessings. Hence why they were removed from their paradise home, the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:22-24). Everything they need and want was provided for them right there in that garden. BUT! The moment they choose to disobey ONE of God's requirements, God could no longer continue to bless them in an overflowing manner. God now could only provide them with the bare necessitates. Life - ability to breathe (Genesis 2:7, 18, 21-25). A home that they now have to sustain themselves (Genesis 3:17-19, 21-24). And a garment to cover themselves that they initially did not need prior to their sin (Genesis 3:20-21).

The point is, our blessings and provisions from God look a whole lot different when we are completely submitted and obedient to God than when we are disobedient to ONE of His commandments. God does not look the other way or ignores our sins as so many teach from their pulpit this is how God's grace and mercy looks like. Like the situation during the fall of the entire human race at Genesis chapter 3, God held each individual who played a role accountable for their part. Satan out of the 3 had committed the unforgivable sin therefore he was given a judgment instead of experiencing God's grace and mercy. Satan was told what he will have to endure for a season and then eventually his death. But Adam and Eve were shown God's grace and mercy. God removed most of His provisions and blessings He was providing them. Now they were required to do many of the things God would have done for them naturally. But because of their disobedience, it was necessary for God as their Father to correct and hold them accountable (see 2 Timothy 3:16-17). God DID NOT shield them from the consequences of their own bad decisions.

We today are no different from Adam and Eve. This generation does not get any special pass or treatment or privileges from God. We all still have to abide by the same set of rules, laws, principles, standards, decrees, and commandments of God.