Satan tempts us to sin by highlighting its supposed benefits. The Scriptures acknowledge that there is a certain amount of pleasure that can be derived from sin. Yet Moses understood that such pleasure was “passing” and that the rewards for rejecting God could not compare with God’s rewards for the faithful (Hebrews 11:25-26). But Satan does not want us to look beyond what is immediately before us. He wants us to focus on the temporary pleasures we can gain from sin and ignore those things which we stand to lose because of sin.
What is it that we stand to lose because of sin? To answer this, let us consider what was lost in the beginning when sin was first introduced into the world.
Man’s Fall in the Garden
Bible students are familiar with the sin of Adam and Eve in the Garden. There were three things that were lost when sin came into the world: paradise, fellowship with God, and eternal life.
Paradise lost – In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve lived in a paradise on earth. After their sin, they were driven out of the Garden and prevented from ever returning (Genesis 3:24). As a result of losing access to this place of paradise, man was forced to work “by the sweat of [his] face” (Genesis 3:19). Difficulties continue to arise for each one of us on account of sin. The wise man said, “The way of the treacherous [transgressors, KJV] is hard” (Proverbs 13:15). Sin causes paradise to be lost here on the earth.
Fellowship broken – While in the Garden, Adam and Eve used to enjoy direct, personal fellowship with God (Genesis 3:8). When they were driven out because of their sin, that close fellowship was lost. The Scriptures teach that sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2). Why is this? John answered: “God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). It is not in God’s nature to accept or have fellowship with wickedness. Therefore, sin causes fellowship with God to be broken.
Eternal life forfeited – When Adam and Eve were driven from the Garden, they lost access to the tree of life. God did this so they would not “eat, and live forever” (Genesis 3:22). As a consequence of Adam’s sin, all of us will face physical death (1 Corinthians 15:21-22). Besides physical death, we also stand to face “the second death, the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:14) – not because of Adam’s sin, but because of our own sin (Ezekiel 18:20; Romans 6:23). Sin causes us to forfeit our hope of eternal life.
Restoration in Christ
After the fall in the Garden, we find the first prophecy about Christ. To the serpent, God said, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel” (Genesis 3:15). Jesus would one day die on the cross. But in doing so, He would deliver a fatal blow to Satan. Christ makes it possible for that which was lost because of sin to be restored to us.
Paradise found – Even with the sacrifice of Christ, we are not promised paradise here on the earth; but we can reach paradise after this life. Lazarus was an example of this. After his death, he was “comforted” in Abraham’s bosom (Luke 16:22, 25). Heaven is described in this way: “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4). In Christ, we are able to find this place of paradise after this life is over.
Fellowship restored – Sin separates man from God, but Jesus came to restore that fellowship. Paul said Jesus’ mission was to “reconcile them both [Jews and Gentiles, as] in one body to God” (Ephesians 2:16). We can have fellowship with God despite our past sins (1 John 1:7-9). His blood provides for forgiveness (Ephesians 1:7); we receive forgiveness when we are baptized into Christ (Acts 2:38; 22:16). In Christ, we can be forgiven of sins and, therefore, be restored to fellowship with God.
Eternal life regained – Paul said, “The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Though he described it as a “free gift,” it is conditional. Baptism (mentioned in previous point) is one condition. It is preceded by belief (John 8:24), repentance (Luke 13:3,5), and confession (Romans 10:9-10), then followed by faithful obedience (Revelation 2:10). Though the tree of life was lost when Adam and Eve were driven from the Garden, we find it again in heaven (Revelation 22:2). Who will get to heaven and have access to the tree of life? “Blessed are those who wash their robes [do his commandments, KJV], so that they may have the right to the tree of life” (Revelation 22:14). Though there is a bit of a textual difference between the translations, the point is the same: to have eternal life, we must be forgiven of sin and keep away from sin. In Christ, we can have eternal life in heaven if we follow Him.
Conclusion
What was lost because of sin can be regained in Christ. He has told us what we must do in His word. If we want to see paradise, enjoy fellowship with God, and live eternally in heaven with Him, we must continually work to put away sin from our lives.
