(Continued -Chapter IV-Man, His Nature and Constitution)

When all the facts of the situation are taken into consideration, one is strongly inclined to believe¹ that Adam at first as he was created possessed both the male and the female organs. In the Lord's performing this surgical operation upon Adam's body, He removed the female organs together with the bone and around them built the woman. Adam's recognition of these facts caused him to make the statement quoted above. Realizing that the woman was taken from the man--she was part of his very being and nature--Adam recognized the indissoluble nature of the marriage tie. They were originally and physically one before the surgical operation and the Lord's building the removed parts into a separate individual known as woman. Thus, in a very real way, man and woman were originally one and still are, for neither can reproduce without the other. For this reason the Lord Jesus Christ in discussing the matter of divorce said that originally God made Adam and Eve male and female and said that for this reason they are one (a unity) and should never separate. But quickly He explained that it was on account of the hardness of heart that Moses granted the privilege of a man's divorcing his wife under certain conditions. Yet God's A number 1 plan for the life of every couple is that they remain one and that the marriage bond remain intact until death separates them.

Though Eve was deceived, she pitted her will against that of the Almighty in her listening to the insinuations and lies of the devil. In her giving the forbidden fruit to Adam, she likewise exercised her will against God's. Of course, as we have seen, her being deceived injected mitigating circumstances into the entire case. On the other hand, Adam sinned with a high hand. His knowledge of the fact that he and his wife were one, and that the bond uniting them was indissoluble doubtless ameliorated his case. Adam seems to have considered the situation as an instance of a higher principle's having the precedence over a lower one. He therefore put his will against the Almighty's. Though there were circumstances that seem to temper the judgment against them, the death sentence was pronounced and was put into effect--yet the door was left open for their redemption and ours. Since Eve was tricked by Satan, God was willing to take on the form of man and to extend mercy and grace to them and their posterity--the human family--as we shall see later.

In view of the fact that God considered Adam and Eve as one, as indeed they were in the true sense of the term, we can see how the same fate was meted out to both of them; for both had broken the same command. Nevertheless, in the specific pronouncement of the punishment we see that there were some differences. For instance, the special curse that fell upon the woman was that she should conceive and bring forth her young in pain and in labor. The special curse falling upon the man was that he should have to toil and make his bread by the sweat of his face. But these peculiar judgments are insignificant in comparison with the major elements entering into the curse which are death: physical death, spiritual death, and eternal death--unless something is done to counteract the curse.

Psychologists tell us that woman, by nature, does not reason a matter out logically, but largely depends upon her intuitive powers. On the other hand, the normal man, as a rule, depends little upon intuition, but reasons out his problems. These facts present in a broad way the differences between the two. The woman's intuitive powers supplement her husband's reasoning faculties and vice versa. Eve, listening to the lies of Satan and paying little or no attention to reason, was deceived. Adam, on the other hand, called his reasoning powers into play and understood the entire situation. Though he saw that Eve had done wrong in following Satan's lies and had wrecked her life, he--because she was a part of him (having been built of substances taken from him) and because he could not reproduce without her--transgressed the command with his eyes open and fell. Eve's being a part of Adam and her being deceived mitigated the case and left open the door for the redemption of the human race.

III. THE FALLEN STATE

When man was created, he was placed in Eden. This beautiful, luxuriant garden was his home. Here everything that was calculated to make him happy, contented, and joyful was at his disposal. He was in constant touch and fellowship with the Almighty which association made life most blest, holy, and replete with joys. But this Edenic heritage was lost at one fell stroke.

By his transgression man wrecked his spiritual nature. His heart became corrupt, as Jeremiah tells us: "The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt: who can know it?" (Jer. 17:9). David in speaking of the condition of the heart of man, which is the same today, declared: "Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity; And in sin did my mother conceive me" (Ps. 51:5). Paul gave an X-ray picture of the human soul in its fallen condition (Tit. 3:3): "For we also once were foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another." He again throws a very clear light on the present condition of the human heart in the Epistle to the Romans. For instance, he speaks (5:12,13) about the origin of sin and death. Prior to the transgression of man, sin was in existence. When, however, man transgressed God's one and only prohibition laid upon him, that which is called sin entered into the world. When it came, death likewise came and passed unto all men in that all sinned--in the person of Adam.

But what does Paul mean by the word sin as he employs it in this passage? The answer to this question is found in Romans 7:7-25.² From this passage anyone can see that Paul thinks of sin as a force or power operating in the spiritual realm, which entered into the world when Adam transgressed God's positive prohibition against the eating of the forbidden fruit. Sin entered the world thus through the transgression of Adam. Where there is no law, there is no transgression. When the law came, however, sin in all its hideousness, figuratively speaking, raised up its head in defiance of man. Apart from the law one did not know sin. Thus Paul says that, before the law came, "I was alive ... but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died ..." (Rom. 7:9). In Romans, chapter 7, was Paul speaking of himself and his actual experience since he used the personal pronouns I, me, my, and mine throughout the chapter? This could not have been his experience as a Christian, for he claimed to be living a victorious life: "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me" (Gal. 2:20). He, being a prophet, employed the methods used by the prophets. Ideally, then, he placed himself back prior to the giving of the law of Moses. Then, he said, he was free and alive. When the law came, it stirred up the evil passions of the flesh and caused men to rebel against God, as they never had done prior to that time.

In further discussing what sin is and does, he declared: "For that which I do I know not: for not what I would, that do I practice; but what I hate, that I do. 16 But if what I would not, that I do, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwelleth in me" (Rom. 7:15,16,17). From this passage we see that the Apostle thought of sin as a force, a power, residing in men's bodies, driving them on to do things which they know they should not--even things which they do not want to do--and at the same time hindering their doing the things that they want to do, and the things which they know that they should do. If, declared the Apostle, one has this experience--where is there a mortal who has never had it?--it is sin, a spiritual evil force within the soul of man that dominates him and causes him to lead a miserable wretched life. We might compare sin in the flesh to gravity in the physical realm. This invisible, unseen power acts upon all physical material bodies pulling them toward the center of the earth. In a manner similar to this there is that which we call sin in the flesh, and which drives men to do things that they do not want to do in their sober moments and hinders their doing things that they know are good, and that they would like to do. Thus we may think of this force as spiritual gravity's power, pulling men down to a life of uncleanness and rebellion against God. Man in his own strength cannot cope with this mighty power within his own spirit or soul. It can be brought in subjection only by the power of God in the heart of the believer.

8 There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For the mind of the flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace: because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be: and they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. But if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwelleth in you, he that raised up Christ Jesus from the dead shall give life also to your mortal bodies through his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh: for if ye live after the flesh, ye must die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified with him. (Romans 8:1-17)

As we have seen, God warned man that, on the day on which he partook of the forbidden fruit, "dying, thou shalt surely die" (literal translation). Death here signifies physical death. Man potentially died that day in that the forces of death began to prey upon his body. The catabolic processes, of which the physicians tell us, began to tear down his body. Of course the anabolic forces were at first more powerful and in the ascendency. But at the end of nine hundred and thirty years the catabolic processes in the body of Adam had overcome and exhausted the anabolic, and Adam died.

On the day of Adam's transgression he died spiritually. Up to that time the Lord God would appear in the evening and would hold sweet communion with him. But the day on which he transgressed God's prohibition, he was driven out from Eden, and the cherubim with a flaming sword were stationed to keep the way of the tree of life lest man, in his fallen state, should partake of the fruit of the tree of life and live forever in this sinful condition.

Thus physical and spiritual death will culminate in eternal death--separation from God forever and ever--unless something is done to rectify the wrong, to adjust the differences, and to bring man back into fellowship with his Maker.

In this condition Adam--God's creature, whom He loved--found himself after his act of transgression. Man in his fallen state begat sons and daughters in his own sinful image. "And Adam lived a hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth: and the days of Adam after he begat Seth³ were eight hundred years: and he begat sons and daughters" (Gen. 5:3,4).

Since the fall of man, is his will still free and untrammeled, so that he can make correct decisions and of himself can exercise his own powers of choice? The philosophers, the psychologists, and the theologians have grappled with this question from times immemorial and have never reached unanimity. There is much to be said in favor of both sides. Every well-informed person recognizes that both heredity and environment are most powerful agents in influencing the life and conduct of the individual. At the Same time all recognize the further fact that the will is most powerful in determining the course which one will take.

Leaving out of consideration the academic angle of the question, let us view it simply in the light of revelation. Even a casual perusal of the Scriptures shows that God holds man responsible for the choices that he makes. They give abundant evidence that God holds man personally responsible for his actions. And who can question His justice? "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" (Gen. 18:25).

The basic assumption of the Bible is that man is free to accept or to reject the grace of God as is seen in the following passages: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16). "This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 who would have all men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth" (I Tim. 2:3,4). "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering to youward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (II Pet. 3:9). "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And he that heareth, let him say, Come. And he that is athirst, let him come: he that will, let him take the water of life freely" (Rev. 22:17).

God would not mock His creatures and blame them for a failure to do something when they could not constitutionally do it. In the light of these facts, we must conclude that the will of man is free to choose or to reject His blessing and grace.

Another factor must be taken into consideration. In discussing the fall of man and his present condition, Paul declared that, where sin abounds, grace does much more abound: "And the law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace did abound more exceedingly: 21 that, as sin reigned in death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 5:20,21). According to this statement God supplies additional grace to aid and assist in overcoming whatever evil tendencies may grip the heart and dominate the life--but one must by faith appropriate it. We conclude therefore that compensation in the form of additional grace is made for whatever evil propensities with which one may be handicapped. These statements being true, we can see that there is no excuse for anyone's failing to accept the truth which God will bring to every honest heart that will receive it. Oh, the wonders of His grace!

Grace first contrived a way
To save rebellious man;
And all the steps that grace display,
Which drew the wondrous plan.

Grace taught my roving feet
To tread the heavenly road;
And new supplies each hour I meet,
While pressing on to God.

Grace all the work shall crown
Through everlasting days;
It lays in heaven the topmost stone,
And well deserves our praise.
--Philip Doddridge (1702-51).



Footnotes:


¹ On this point no one can be dogmatic, even though the evidence seems definitely to point in that direction.

² What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Howbeit, I had not known sin, except through the law: for I had not known coveting, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet: but sin, finding occasion, wrought in me through the commandment all manner of coveting: for apart from the law sin is dead. And I was alive apart from the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died; and the commandment, which was unto life, this I found to be unto death: for sin, finding occasion, through the commandment beguiled me, and through it slew me. So that the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and righteous, and good. Did then that which is good become death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might be shown to be sin, by working death to me through that which is good;--that through the commandment sin might become exceeding sinful. For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I know not: for not what I would, that do I practise; but what I hate, that I do. But if what I would not, that I do, I consent unto the law that it is good. So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwelleth in me. For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me, but to do that which is good is not. For the good which I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I practise. But if what I would not, that I do, it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwelleth in me. I find then the law, that, to me who would do good, evil is present. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: but I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin which is in my members. Wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me out of the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then I of myself with the mind, indeed, serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin (Romans 7:7-25).

³ The first-born sons of Adam and Eve were Cain and Abel: "And the man knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said I have gotten a man with the help of Jehovah, 2 And again she bare his brother Abel" (Gen. 4:1,2).