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Pastor's Blog January 23, 2020
"Joy"
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When most people consider the source of Adam and Eve's moral strength before the fall, they usually end up identifying it with human ability. Willpower, moral fiber, our desire for God, some innate righteousness - all are listed as possible sources for the sinlessness of our first parents. But did you ever consider that what kept Adam and Eve holy before the fall was God's gift of joy and life, and their willingness to receive it with gratitude?
That may seem like a funny idea, but Ellen makes that exact point in her book "Steps to Christ." Humans were originally created with the will and moral strength to resist evil, states Ellen, but have lacked such ability and power to resist evil and sin since the fall (7; 1977 edition). Nevertheless, before the fall humans found their moral strength and power in their relationships with God: sinless humans "held joyful communion" with God, and part of the reason for their creation was to be "in harmony with God" (7). And it's this absence of joyful relationship with God that primarily defines existence for sinners.
Look at how many times Ellen talks about joy in connection with sin: once the fall happened, humans "could no longer find joy in holiness"; even today, a heart out of harmony with God "finds no joy in communion with Him"; entrance into heaven "would have no joy" for the sinner; sinners only want to hide from the God who is "the center of its [heaven's] joy" (7).
What the sinner needs is not rehabilitation, but rather a new creation; the solution for sin is to have a brand new life, not just a reformed one. They must "be changed from sin to holiness" - to experience a new or second creation, so to speak (8). Unfallen humans couldn't create joy, they could only receive it from God with thanks. L ikewise, sinful humans can't create this new life for themselves, they can only gratefully receive it from Jesus, who gives new life, a new heart, new desires, and brings the person to God and holiness (8).
Friends, this new life and power for living is in Jesus - is, in fact, Jesus himself (8)! We need Jesus in order to be reunited with God, but the joyful truth is that we already have Jesus and he has already made us his! So with grateful hearts, let us accept the joyful communion and new life Jesus wants to give each of us every day.
(*) Steps to Christ 1977 edition; Chapter 2, “The Sinner’s Need of Christ”
God Bless.
Pastor Nathaniel Gamble
