DIFFICULTY IN OUR LIVES

COMES FROM THE FALL

Adam's sin resulted in our sinfulness, others sinning, and the corruption of the physical world.  We should not have an expectation for an easy life. Our desire for things to be right in a broken world comes from God putting eternity in our hearts.  As we have more realistic expectations for how the world really is, we won't be caught off guard by the evil of others, our own sin, and the pain we suffer because the physical world is failing. We're to accept the hardship caused by other's sins, repent of our own, and long for heaven.  

As we get older, our physical condition deteriorates. Some people say that health is wasted on the youth.  Most young people do not appreciate all the things their bodies can do. Conversely, many elderly people are happy to be able to just get around without significant pain. Although the youth witness this in the elderly, very few appreciate and take advantage of their "working" bodies. Some complain about minor physical inconveniences while an elderly person would jump at the chance to switch conditions with them.    

●    APPLYING THE PARALLEL:  The difference between the youth and the elderly is perspective. The wiser of the elderly are well aware of how their physical life, which is subject to corruption, is obviously going downhill. This principle of sin's corrupting power carries over into the evil in other people's hearts and relationships. When one is aware that evil is all around, they can more fully enjoy the times when they receive good.  Rather than being caught off guard by difficulties in the world and the evil of others, acknowledge it as part of the fall and use it as an opportunity to long for heaven. Look for and take full advantage of the times when God's intervention shines through some circumstance or the life of someone who touches yours with God's love.

You have seen how the physical corruption of the world (including your body), people's sins, and your own sin cause pain in your life. Write out how these three things have caused you difficulty and pain. Since all of your experience and the Bible teach you to expect this corruption and sin, how can you change your future expectations to be realistic? 

●    He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. (Eccl. 3:11)

●    For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. (Rom 8:20-21)

●    Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, (2 Cor 5:2)

●    Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned-(Rom 5:12)

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