Connect Genesis 2:16 to Jesus' teachings on obedience in the New Testament. The Command in Eden “And the LORD God commanded him, ‘You may eat freely from every tree of the garden.’” • God’s first spoken directive to humanity blends generosity with authority. • Obedience begins here: trusting that His provision is good and His boundaries wise. Jesus Re-affirms Obedience “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” “If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love.” “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ but not do what I say?” • Jesus makes obedience the visible proof of love and genuine faith. • The attitude He seeks mirrors Adam’s original calling: hear God’s word, trust it, act on it. Parallels Between Eden and the Gospels • Provision first, prohibition second – Eden: “Freely eat …” before “but not from the tree.” – Gospel: Jesus feeds, heals, forgives, then calls, “Follow Me.” • Relationship before rule-keeping – God walks with Adam. – Jesus says, “Abide in Me.” • Freedom inside boundaries – Eden’s countless permitted trees. – Jesus’ “easy yoke” that still demands surrender. Jesus, the Perfectly Obedient Second Adam “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” “He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross.” “Through the obedience of the One Man the many will be made righteous.” • Where Adam failed in a garden, Jesus triumphed in a wilderness and later in Gethsemane. • His flawless obedience secures righteousness for those who believe and empowers their obedience. Living the Connection Today • Receive God’s generosity with gratitude, just as Adam was invited to “freely eat.” • Treat every scriptural command as a loving boundary meant for flourishing. • Let obedience flow from affection: love first, then loyalty. • Rely on Christ’s finished work; our obedience responds to His, never replaces it. • Walk daily in the Spirit, finding joy in doing the Father’s will—just as it was in the beginning. |
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