Here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. (Ecc. 12:13)
During a jail Bible study, an inmate asked me where Eden was. He wasn’t being funny; he genuinely wanted to know. The inmate was soon to be deported, and he explained in broken English that he had every intention of landing in his native country and then traveling to Eden because “he had read about it in this book and it was a wonderful place.” I was dumbfounded. The faith was so simple.
Have you ever considered how not-complicated Eden was? Do whatever your pleasure, but don’t eat that. That was it. Obviously this oversimplification is slightly facetious, but understand that the duty of humanity was not—and is not—complicated. Do what God commands of you. All the cunning of the clever, all the strength of the strong, and all the rewards of the rich are nothing when compared against simple faith in God.
Access to Eden is actually quite simple: Do what God tells you to do. Condensed so succinctly, I could not have explained to the inmate all its implications in a few moments. However, to those believers who have access to Scripture, to spiritual disciplines, to wise teachers, and to other godly resources, it is helpful to remember the power of faith in Jesus Christ to save those who believe in him as Lord and Savior.
Develop a well-crafted, one-sentence testimony of faith in Jesus Christ.
Paul Zeller is an adult discipleship pastor who enjoys reading history and science-fiction—looking for theological movements in stories. He believes that faithful imagination opens doors for Jesus.
© 2021 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
