“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Gen. 1:1
When God created the world, it was a very physical world, not only a spiritual one. God and creature were united in perfect harmony. God created a very physical garden. From some people you would get the idea that the Garden of Eden was a continuous virtual church service. I do not think it was quite like that. I think it was more like two lovers strolling through a park. Perfect peace and rapturous communication. I believe work was delightful and peaceful. Unfortunately sin entered the garden and everything changed.
Genesis 3:17-19 tells us what happened. God brought curses upon Creation, and death and destruction were the result. Verse 23 says, “Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.” I believe this verse records the great divorce between spiritual and material.
No longer is there perfect harmony between the spiritual world and physical one. Of course Christ came and paid the way for redemption, however this did not restore us to the Eden experience. One of the greatest struggles for the Christian maturing in holiness, is this divorce between spiritual and physical. Often the duties and struggles to earn a living and to provide for the physical body, consume much of our time and energy. Material concerns can obscure our spiritual sight. The Apostle Paul referred to this in I Cor. 13:12 “For know we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as I am known.” It takes faith in Christ to keep our spiritual vision keen.
This is not to downplay the wonderful world God has given for our enjoyment. However even this we are not often able to enjoy, because of the necessities of living. But rejoice there is hope! I look forward to the day of Isaiah 11:6, “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.” Once more spiritual and material will be inseparably united forever!!!
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