To the Editor:

Think about this important point. Creation was mature from its birth. It didn’t have to undergo growth and development. God formed mankind full grown in every detail including all animals, ocean dwellers and vegetation. In fact the universe had the appearance of age right from its origin. Genesis 2:1 tells us, “Thus the heavens and the earth were finished and all the host of them.”

It took little time for Satan to appear in the Garden to deceive Eve into thinking she could be God-like if she ate from the Tree of Life. Satan appealed to her pride which is mankind’s downfall. In fact Lucifer’s own problem was pride when he said in Isaiah 14:14, “I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” Lucifer and his followers were cast from heaven. When rebellion against his creator God was found in this perfect being, Lucifer the “light bearer” became Satan the adversary.

The pride of life can be defined as anything that is “of the world,” meaning anything that leads to arrogance, ostentation, pride in self, presumption, and boasting. John makes it clear that anything that produces the pride of life comes from a love of the world and “… If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15).

When I think about our glorious creation, it brings to mind a song called “The Wonder of It All.” But beyond that wonder an even bigger claim is made: “to think that God loves me.”

Through one man, Adam, sin entered the world, but through another Man, Jesus Christ, redemption through the forgiveness of sin is available to all (Romans 5:17). Those who avail themselves of the sacrifice of Christ on the cross will be resurrected to see the tree of life again, for it stands in the middle of the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, “… which bear twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” (Revelation 22:2) In the eternal state, the curse will be no more (verse 3), access to the tree of life will be reinstated, and darkness will be forever banished (verse 5). Eden will be restored.

Addendum: “Live so you wouldn’t be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip.” — Author Unknown