And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

Genesis 3:8

Sin hinders everything now, especially man’s experience of God’s presence. Because of their disobedience, Adam and Eve are now exiles; their mission is in shambles as they stand outside of Eden. The presence of God they once knew freely is no longer free. But in grace, God steps in to pay the price. To overcome man’s sin and ensure his purposes, the Creator becomes covenant Redeemer. Through his covenant promises, the Lord restores what Adam failed to do. God makes a people and a place through the covenant all the while keeping his promises to humanity. God does all of this so that he can be our God and we can be his people

Sin hinders everything now, especially man’s experience of God’s presence.

Genesis 3 records how Adam and Eve turned away from God. They did not obey the command that God had given to Adam not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16–17). Instead, the serpent deceived them, and they ate the fruit. The Lord God confronted the couple and the serpent. Speaking to the serpent, God revealed the first promise of the coming redemption in Genesis 3:15. From the woman’s offspring, there would come a Savior who would crush the serpent’s head.

What God began with His promise in the garden of Eden, the prophets continued through the passing generations. Finally, John the Baptist announced to everyone: “Now is the time!” God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, as the Prince of Peace so that we might be able to be reunited with God and experience His peace as our daily lifestyle. But this new reality does not just happen. There is something that we are to do so that we can benefit from what God has accomplished on our behalf. We must understand and receive this peace that has been provided for us.

Peter put it this way when he shared the gospel at Cornelius’ house: God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all … He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name. 

Have you believed in Jesus? Do you know Him as the Lord who forgives your sin? In the wilderness of life, hear the cry: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” Put your trust in the Prince of Peace. Then, as a child of God, share the good news of peace through Jesus Christ with those around you.