Scripture

Our verse for today comes from Genesis 2:25, ” And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. ” 

Background

We love a good hyperbole, don’t we? Consider some of these everyday phrases that you will very likely hear or repeat yourself today: I’m starving. You’re killing me. I have drunk a ton of water. It’s been raining forever. I always have to go last. You never let me do anything. That car was flying. There’s nothing to eat. I’ve been on the phone all day. I am the world’s worst at that. Isn’t it obvious how we go right to the extreme to make our point or to get a reaction? What kid is going to his mom with, ” Thanks for all the food in the fridge and pantry, mom, but would you mind running to the store to get these other things that I really want? ” And others might not grasp our sense of urgency if we expressed our desire for food by saying, ” I had a small breakfast and skipped lunch, so my hunger pangs are a little stronger than normal for this time of the day. ” We do seem to have a tendency towards the all or nothing manner of expression, wouldn’t you say? 

Application

When we look back into the garden, we see that Adam and Eve were naked and not ashamed. Being husband and wife, and having no other humans around, this might seem like stating the obvious. And maybe it was. But it also stands in stark contrast to Adam’s description of himself and Eve after they had eaten of the forbidden tree. For when God comes looking for them, they are afraid and hiding, all because they are naked. But not just naked. No, Adam uses a different word than God did to describe his nakedness. God said they were without clothes, and that’s exactly right. Adam’s choice carried with it the sense of nakedness and helplessness. And that told God all He needed to know. That’s why God asked Adam who told him that word. God had not used it. He had not made them helpless. He had made them dependent on Him. But once they sinned, helpless is exactly what they became. It’s the unexaggerated truth concerning our state, and it’s all we need to know to drive us to the foot of the cross where, praise God, He clothes us with His righteousness.  

Charge

As we seek Him today, realize that there is no overstating our need for a Savior. Nor can we overstate the complete forgiveness and cleansing that He gives us through His death and resurrection.

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words