Purity: Lesson 2
Most of the info below is taken from the book by Bill Davis called “The Gates of Hell and the Prevailing Church” — a must read. Lesson 2 was titled, “A Pure Choice is God’s Choice.” We must never forget to make the right choices in life. Adam & Eve failed to do so with one simple task in the Garden of Eden. Read the material below and give me your thoughts!
Adam & Eve, had a great place in the Garden of Eden. Opportunity, beauty, and life. A God-given place. And that place could have been forever. Nevertheless, Adam and Even violated the rules!
Maybe rules do matter. Maybe they are not there to be broken.
And the first ground rules of the Garden are still in effect:
Genesis 3:1
- Yea, hath God said, ye shall not eat of every tree in the garden.
He has thundered His word to all generations. And to every man, the issues are still the same — “Yea, hath God said…”
The words were formed into a question by Satan to Adam and Eve.
And by going down 2 verses we see something interesting.
Genesis 3:3
- Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it lest ye die.
Clear, direct, and to the point, and yet to these two people it was NOT quite clear enough to be honored.
Hell’s Gates prevail against us when we stop listening to God.
The first rule of Eden was clear: “Listen to God.” And this rule has not been revoked! From Genesis to Revelation, the position is clear … “Ye hath God said…”
Revelation 2:7
- He that hath and ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; to him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
God planted a garden eastward in Eden. He created a perfect and beautiful environment for man. A garden of fruit, trees, and a river flowing out from the garden dividing into four rivers. A garden full of animals, birds, and life all around. And man was place there with full control and authority. And God was pleased for Adam and Eve to enjoy the world He created. He wanted them to enjoy a world dominated by His presence, sustained by His Word.
A world full of His gifts and blessings. A world that He (God) was comfortable to dwell in. A world He and man could mutually enjoy and walk together in. A place well designed by a God if infinite wisdom and power and love.
What a place for man!
In Eden, God came and walked in the cool or the breeze of the day He came to talk, walk, and visit and to enjoy His creation. He desired to enjoy both man and His garden. But the gates of Hell were opened and an intruder eased into the garden. The dark shadow of Hell stretched across the world of Adam and Eve.
The big question is why?
What caused the problem? Why or how were the first people so vulnerable?
Such easy victims.
Why did they allow the gates of Hell to prevail? Why does anyone all Hell’s gates to prevail? Why does anyone want the negative, the sad, and the miserable consequences of disobedience?
“God said” – “Satan said.”
Two voices, two forces were present, but the presence of Satan was not the major problem. The garden with the tree in the midst and the limits set on it were not the problem. The garden was not in jeopardy nor was it at fault
It was all about choices.
It is ALWAYS about choices.
Isaiah 33:6
- And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation.
One may know what to do but lack the wisdom. Too choose is wisdom placed into action. Knowledge is what we know. Knowledge comes easy through study and teaching. But wisdom, well, that is different all by itself. True wisdom, heavenly wisdom comes from God. The scriptures actually speak concerning this truth!
The apostle James, inspired of God, says clearly ……..
James 1:5
- If any man of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
Another version says it this way: “If you lack wisdom, ask God to help you and He will give it to you without any hesitation.”
It was about “God said” – “Satan said.” It was about choosing whom to believe, the Creator of the Garden or the intruder of the garden. And of course, we know what happened. They set aside what God said, and they embraced what Satan said. That cost them and it cost them dearly.
It cost them the garden, the fruit, and the fellowship
It cost them their dominance over the animal kingdom.
It cost them LIFE!
It cost them eternal life, the chance to live always.
It cost them the privilege to keep on living period.
And it has cost EVERY generation and family since then.
The gates of Hell can and will prevail against any man who sets aside “God said.” It is time that we take God’s Word VERY serious. He has bound Himself to His Word and He is obligated to honor it and act accordingly to His own precepts. In our lives, it always comes down to what God said. Victory and defeat, success and failure; it always comes down to what God has said.
In conclusion, listen to this powerful statement …
“When we unleash the Word, the people will unleash their faith and God will unleash His power.”
The gates of Hell cannot prevail when we listen to God’s Word and obey it at all times.
When must learn to act on what God says. God is not a man that He should lie … So when God says something in His word, do it! Your days will be much better and longer on the earth!
When He was speaking in Deuteronomy 30, there was a clear voice and a strong suggestion:
Vs 15 – See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil.
Vs 16 – In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statues and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.
Vs 17 – But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shall be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;
Vs 18 – I denounce unto you this day, (in other words — I BOLDLY SAY) that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it.
Vs 19 – I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessings and cursings, (HERE’S THE KEY POINT TO ALL OF THIS) therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live!
It doesn’t get any more plain than this!
This is like the ultimate OPEN BOOK TEST which has all the answers right in front of you and you have no excuse to fail!
CHOOSE LIFE!
Finally, what did the writer say … “CHOOSE YE THIS DAY WHOM YE WILL SERVE … BUT AS FOR ME & MY HOUSE!”
So, what do you choose? A Pure Choice is God’s Choice!
