THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL (PART 1)
"But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." - Genesis 2:17.
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose." - Romans 8:28.
My aim today is to explain to you the connection between Romans 8:28 and Genesis 2:17, both cited above. These two scriptures serve to succinctly explain the mind of God concerning man. It is clear from Genesis 2:17 that God forbade man from eating of "the tree of the knowledge of good and evil,". This is to say in other words, that God never wanted man to have the knowledge of good and evil; which according to Genesis 3:22, is the prerogative of God only. At best, God would want man to exercise such knowledge at full spiritual maturity (Heb 5:14).
"And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: ... " (Genesis 3:22, KJV). This was the Lord speaking after man had in disobedience taken and ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. By that singular act, man became acquainted with the knowledge of good and evil, a sphere that is the prerogative of God only. "Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: ... "
In God's dealing with man, His desire had always been to see the display of 'innocence' in man concerning whether an event in life is "good" or "evil". God did not want man to have the capacity to judge which event of his life is "good" or "evil". God wants man to trust Him, to accept all events of his life with "thanksgiving" to Him, as the Almighty and Omniscient God. The book of 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says it all: "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you". Again, in Eph 5:20, the Bible says:
"Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; ... ".
These scriptures envisages not only the Omnipotence of God over every circumstance of life, (see Eph 1:19; Phil 3:21) but the fact that Christ is a corporate Entity designated by God for salvation, victory and deliverance of those in Him. Every circumstance of life is subject unto God's plan and purpose. He is able to do all things and to turn every circumstance of life to conform to His will for us (Eph 1:11). To God, everything is in His control, it does not matter whether good or bad in accordance with man's judgment. Secondly, these Scriptures have in mind those in Christ. God has predetermined or predestined that everything that comes the way of everyone in Christ is for their good (Rom 8:28). This is the ultimate end of all things that come our way as children of God. For them, God asks us to give Him thanks.
Actually, as humans we lack the capacity to adjudge issues accurately; hence we are asked not to judge (Matthew 7:1). Only the LORD, the Omniscient God is the best Judge of the issues of life, for He is the Originator of all things, knowing and declaring the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10). How often have we been proved to be wrong when events we initially judged "good" eventually turned "bad" or "evil"; and vice-versa! We must acknowledge that God loves us so dearly that He cannot permit "evil" to happen to us (Jer 29:11). What we term "evil" can actually be a means by God to work out "good" for us, if we allow Him. As God's children, we are in a covenant relationship with Him. We have been divinely programmed (predestined) by God in Christ Jesus for "good" and not for "evil"; for "good success" and not for "failure".
Friend, l write to counsel you as God's child to accept His view of whatever happens to you in life: All things work together for your good (Romans 8:28). You may not like what has happened or what is happening. Neither did Joseph like being sold into Egypt, or being thrown into prison. We know how he eventually met his destiny helper in prison and the ultimate fulfillment of his destiny.
Be rest assured that God cannot stand by and allow the devil to mess you up! You are the "apple of His eye" (Zechariah 2:8). He loves you so dearly that though the devil might have meant a life's event for "evil"; God, in His Omnipotence, and love for you, turns it out for your eventual "good". HALLELUJAH! Can you now sincerely thank God for that "ugly" situation of your life, trusting and giving Him glory for it? If so, very soon, you'll experience God's grace not only to see you through it, but He will turn it out for your good as He promised to do. SHALOM!
PRAYER:
Father, l do sincerely thank you for what l am experiencing in life. I refuse to see them as "evil"; instead, l believe and trust that you are at work to turn them out for my eventual good; thank you LORD, in Jesus name, amen