Living in God’s vision for man

In the beginning, man walked in perfect peace with God.

Genesis 3 explains man’s downfall which removed him from God’s perfect plan for humanity. For the first time Adam and Eve saw good and evil. They no longer saw themselves as God saw them. Satan, with his trickery, had talked them into moving from God’s grace.

But all was not lost for mankind; Jesus died on the cross for our sins which is the pathway back to God’s grace. All one has to do is accept that pathway. It is not as hard as some may think. You only have to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior and live out his love in this world to your fellow man.

Christ told us in Matthew 22:21 to render up to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and render to God what is God’s. What belongs to God? You and I. Jesus gave us three commandments found in Matthew 22:34-40 where he made it clear to love God with all your heart, your soul, and your mind. He also commanded to love your neighbor as yourself. In John 15:12 the Lord said we should love one another as he has loved us. Do these things and you will surely put the image of God back on yourself. Your fellow man will see this and understand Jesus’s peace and Grace.

If we follow these commandments humanity can be salvaged and be back in the grace of God. I will try to follow these commandments with all my heart. Will you? Thank you for considering. God bless.

Hollis Stewart is a intern minister at Church of God, 221 S. Division Ave., Sandpoint.