On this Christmas Eve, pray aloud the words of this Lazaroo with deepest gratitude, remembering this…is why Jesus came:

 “And the LORD God commanded the man, ‘You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil for when you eat of it you will surely die.’”
(Genesis 2:16-17)

Adam and Eve ate from the forbidden tree, Jesus

but they didn’t die…

instantly.

Sometimes you punish me on the spot.

But so often, You give me additional time –

to reconsider my ways

alter my behavior
reverse my direction.

I’d be an idiot to misinterpret Your kindness!
to conclude You make empty threats.

But there’s another sense in which, as they ate that fruit

they did die instantly…

spiritually.

Every time I deliberately disobey You

something in me dies.

Thank God, You’ve made an amazing provision:

When I confess my sin and change my ways
You forgive me

and give me a fresh start.

_________
Leviticus 5:5-6; Psalms 51:1-17; Psalms 103:8-14; Lamentations 3:22-23; Luke 1:76-79; 2 Corinthians 5:17-19; James 2:13; 1 John 1:9; Jude 1:21

What is Lazaroo?

Take Me Deeper

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.