Where Are You?

I’m sure we’re familiar with the popular children’s game “Hide-and-Go Seek.” A group hides while the others search. For many this must bring back nostalgic memories. However, have you ever given thought to the origins of the childhood classic? Actually, we find the earliest real-life version of it in the Bible. “Now they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.” 1 God: “Then the LORD God called to the man, and said to him, ‘Where are you?’” 2 Adam: “I heard the sound of You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.” 3 Now, clearly this wasn’t a lighthearted game being played. Adam and Eve had just eaten the forbidden fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil—thus rebelling against their Creator. Realizing their nakedness, they sewed together fig leaves in an attempt to cloak their guilt. 4 Then we see five things happen as a result: 1. God seeks out Adam. 2. Adam & Eve hear God approaching.  3. Adam & Eve hide from the presence of God. 4. God calls out to Adam. 5. Frightened by God’s Voice, Adam gives his reason. Here we see the first cosmic aftershocks of sin. Keep in mind, before this tragic event occurs, Adam & Eve enjoyed hearing God’s Voice. They worshiped Him, delighted in Him, and treasured Him as the all-satisfying Portion of their souls. The same Voice that once filled their hearts with gladness & indescribable joy now gripped their hearts with panic & fear. The same Presence they once joyfully confided in was now a place of shame, horror, and regret. Who’s to Blame?Did something change in God? No. Did something change in Adam & Eve? Absolutely. Adam and Eve’s deliberate rebellion against God shows us what the very essence of sin is. Cosmic treason! Now, how does this relate to you? Everything. All of the pain, brokenness, and misery we experience is ultimately a result of the tragedy in Eden. Even creation groans. 5 Need proof? Glaring ProofThe ravages of sin are pervasive. Just turn on the news. Deadly diseases, exploding stars, catastrophic tornadoes, high-speed meteorites, brutal murders, severe famines, ground-splitting earthquakes, tragic car wrecks, civil anarchy, mass bloodshed, suffering, and death are glaring proofs that something went HORRIBLY wrong in the garden.  And remember, all it took was ONE BITE to plunge the entire universe into chaos & ruin! “God has pronounced judgment upon the whole world because of sin.” ~R.C. Sproul This proves that sin is extremely serious. God’s holiness demands that He takes sin seriously. He cursed His creation because of it. However, despite all this, God still seeks to have a relationship with humanity. And just like in the garden of Eden, He calls: “WHERE ARE YOU?” “Where are you?”Dear Reader, what about yourself? Have you responded to your Creator’s call? Or are you still living in denial of your rebellion against Him? Perhaps you’re like Adam, hiding from God. If so, here’s what the Bible says. You, like Adam, are under the curse of sin. 6 Your sin, like Adam’s, has left you stark naked. 7  You, like Adam, have a corrupted, sinful nature. 8  You, like Adam, will physically die. 9 And you, like Adam, lie in danger of God’s eternal judgment. 10 But there’s Good News“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 11 “For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” 12 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” 13 O Reader, come out of your hiding place! Do not conceal your sins any longer. Instead, acknowledge your guilt and dire need of salvation. Come humbly to the foot of the cross and fix your gaze upon the horrific spectacle of Calvary! Jesus Christ, truly God and truly man, came into the world to save sinners! Observe Jesus hanging, bleeding, and dying on the cross to pay the full penalty for sin. Look as He bore the unfathomable load of sin—enough to sink the entire universe! See Him absorbing God’s righteous fury & wrath against sin. Then three days later, Jesus rose from the dead to give those who trust in Him everlasting life. O Reader, Where are you?Friend, your eternal destiny is at stake! Will you keep hiding your sin, as Adam did? Do you think you can evade His all-seeing Eye? Right now, God has instant access into the deepest fathoms of your heart. In fact, He knows your heart better than you do. There’s ABSOLUTELY nowhere to hide. Cease the charade! And hurl yourself into the merciful arms of Jesus! “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” 14 1Genesis 3:8; 2Gen. 3:9; 3Gen. 3:10; 4Gen. 2:9,17-3:8; 5Romans 8:22; 6Gen. 3:16-19, Psalm 51;  7Gen. 3:7; 8Gen. 3:16-19, Gen. 6:5-12; 9Gen. 2:17,3:19; 10Romans 3:23; 11Romans 5:8; 12Romans 5:6; 13Matthew 11:28-29; 14Mark 1:15