The story of man continues with Adam and Eve's son Seth.  Like all people after Adam, he was born dead--that's the way the apostle Paul describes the human condition--we don't have the indwelling Holy Spirit to give us life. Ephesians 2:1 "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins."  Paul repeats this theme in other letters that he wrote, and says that we are made alive in Jesus Christ.

Unlike Christians today, God did not dwell in their hearts after Adam.  When God interacted with people, He "came upon them."  Or sent a messenger, an angel, to deliver a message.  People had to go to the tabernacle to meet with God--who dwelt in the "Holy of holies" behind the curtain.  A curtain that was accessible only once a year by the high priest to seek atonement for the people.  Later, when they built the temple, it was the same.  The priest interceded to God for the people.

But the day that Christ took His last breath, the curtain was ripped from top to bottom.  God was saying to us all, "Come on in.  I have a big house.  Big enough for all who repent.  My son's blood has been spilt to atone for your sin--He is your sacrificial Lamb.  You no longer need a priest."

And just as in the beginning, God breathes into us a living soul, declares us clean, and takes up residence in our hearts.  My friend Jeanette and I went to lunch yesterday.  Both of us marveled at the Love of God to die for our sins.  It is almost impossible to believe that He would do that.  But he did.

I love the verses in Philippians 2:5-8,  I memorized them years ago because they reveal that God purposed in his heart to save us.  "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon Himself the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men...he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."

Jesus was God.  God was Jesus.  He made a decision to die for our sins and put Himself into our hearts when we repent and accept the death of Christ, believe in Him and what He did for us.  The result is the indwelling of God's Spirit, and a changed life.  We serve Him because of the great love He had for us, and because we now have an overwhelming love for Him.  Ken always said, "I want my children to obey me because they love me, not because they fear me."  How true.