Breaking the Bonds of Fear

At the beginning of Creation, the Bible says that the first man and woman walked and talked with God in the idyllic Garden of Eden. Then Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit and things changed.

They hid themselves from God and were “afraid” because they were “naked” (Genesis 3:7-10). They were exposed in their disobedience and unshielded by what many theologians argue was a previous glow of radiance about them, providing a type of covering to their nakedness. Instead, in their realization of shame, the Bible says they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.

 Breaking a trust leads to estrangement of relationship. And being exposed for rebellion, weakness, guilt, sin and frailty leads to fear. Indeed, fear is an overwhelming response and evil taskmaster in human society. There are over 500 different psychologically diagnosed phobias describing irrational, persistent, disabling fear as a mental disorder. And anxiety disorders, in spite of all kinds of technological progress, are hugely oppressive in our day.

But the wonderful thing is that our great Creator has granted us freedom from the taskmaster of fear in reconciling us to Himself through Jesus, and adopting us as His beloved little sons and daughters! Romans 8:15 says it explicitly: “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again unto fear, but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba (Papa), Father.”

Instead of the fig leaf coverings they made for themselves, God made His certified clothing from animal skins so that Adam and Eve would not feel ashamed and be adequately covered (Genesis 3:21). Here, in a foreshadowing of the consummation of our final status with God through the Lord Jesus Christ, there was the shedding of blood for the atonement of sin – and the removal of shame!

– Mark Cadwallader, Creation Moments Board Chairman

Photo: Unsplash. 218

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