August 9: A Winsome Environment
By faith, Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks [to us today]. Hebrews 11:4
The system of education established in the beginning of our world provides a model for us until the Lord returns. That which was instituted in Eden was an illustration of the principles of learning, and how daily activity is to be an affirming continuation of the commitment to learning of God’s character, even as the activities of life are carried out; all under God’s authority (Ephesians 1:17). To grow in doctrinal understanding, while caring for and serving others, enjoying deepening fellowship, ongoing evangelism, and all aspects of stewardship of time and resources, together constitute worship of our heavenly Father. But make note: the spirit in which these are done determines the atmosphere of learning. A winsome environment, created by faith, is pleasing to Him.
In God’s economy, education begins in the family at home. The schoolroom of Eden is even alluded to in Luke’s ‘reverse’ (as compared to Matthew’s) genealogy: …the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God (Luke 3:38). It was directly from their Father that the children of the Most High were given instruction. Before sin, education of our first parents centered around the wonders of Creation and the loving character of the Creator. These are still the foundation of education today, along with the plan of Redemption.
As for determining the atmosphere of learning, each of us is to cultivate a positive attitude. We each need to exercise an unwavering discernment of our attitude, as this area is heavily targeted by the enemy. In his evil economy, a disposition to despise authority is cultivated through the grumbling, terrible attitudes of God’s people. If I allow a negative attitude to creep in and fester, an invitation is issued to Satan, the original despiser of authority; he, along with his minions, will join in the work, just as Cain’s attitude invited trouble (see Genesis 4:5-6).
Even though none of our homes are the perfect ideal for learning, as compared to unfallen Eden, we are well-furnished with a way to view that ideal through the words of Scripture, where we may hear God testifying. How precious that He testifies of our dead brother Abel’s gifts to Him!
Early on, we see how quickly our heavenly Father responded to the emergency of sin with the teaching of the promise of the Savior to come whose blood would be shed on behalf of mankind. This lesson interweaves hope, encouragement, suffering and pain, and the costly forgiveness being offered to every one of us. Redemption’s plan is intricately developed through the sanctuary lessons that were to come. Even so, the trusting acceptance of the most rudimentary Redemption message was salvation for Adam, Eve, and Abel. GLORY!
As Adam and Eve witnessed, the LORD God said to the serpent: “Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all cattle, and more than every beast of the field; on your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head and you shall bruise His heel.” Genesis 3:14-15