God’s Creation of Life & Man’s Choice of Death

Author: Timothy Tin
Translator: Mandy Kwan

Every person in this world has the freedom to choose; however, this personal freedom is limited and conditional. We all can choose what we like and how we do things, when it is bound by the situation or legal constraints. For example, children cannot just take whatever or play wherever they desire; they must obey their guardians and be subject to discipline, teaching, and self-regulation. This is why every child needs to receive the right kind of upbringing and education to teach them to make sound choices.

When God made man with a breath of life, it not only awakened the man but also gave an eternal spirit. Man can act on his will and but must accept the consequences of his choices. Thus when God instructed Adam, the first man He created, to choose the right fruit to sustain his life, God allowed him to choose whatever fruit he desired, with the exception of one tree: “… you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die” (Genesis 2:17). This is a choice of life or death, a commandment and law that determines which path one leads. This is the foundation of man’s upbringing, that wisdom is having the discernment between good and evil. If he chooses good, then subsequently the fruits of human history would result in peace, joy, beauty, wisdom, power, glory, and eternity. If he chooses evil, then war, pain, fear, and death will come about. Which did Adam choose?

Even though we did not see how Adam chose, as evident in our ancient history to the present time, Adam chose death, because death is what every human being will ultimately face. This permitted sin and suffering to enter the world, and we cannot bear the consequences of this. We also inherited the sinful nature that started with Adam, as we humans continue to make mistakes that lead to tragedies, robbing us of true peace and joy!

We might ask, “Why did Adam so foolishly make the choice of death?” The answer is found in the Bible: “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned” (Romans 5:12). Well, how did sin enter the world? “Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death” (James 1:15). The Bible also recorded that Adam’s wife Eve was tempted by the devil to eat the fruit from the tree of knowledge. That led to Adam making the wrong choice, and seeds of selfishness were planted into the human hearts, in every descendent of Adam and Eve.

The root of all evil comes from Satan. He continues to use the seeds of evil and plant them in our minds. Satan also uses the weakened flesh to tempt and continue to sow seeds of discontent in the human race. God made the beautiful and bountiful Eden, but sin caused this beautiful world to deteriorate. When man follows his own desires and chooses selfishness, it perpetuates the cycles of death and suffering. God did not abandon man because of his sin; He continues to use wisdom, goodness, righteousness, and love and plant their seeds among the human race. In Mark 1:15, it states, “The time has come. The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” God said that the only hope for the human race is to forgive and love one another. But even Jesus’ own disciples did not accept his teaching and would rather choose darkness and death. Thus God raised Jesus from the dead and gave one alternative to everyone: eternal life through Jesus Christ.

This world’s suffering and pain did not originate from God’s design. He created life but man chose death. God sacrificed his Son Jesus Christ so we can have a second chance. The decision this time will bring a tremendous impact on your present life and eternity. Are you willing to accept Jesus Christ and receive eternal life? If so, please say this prayer with me, “Dear Eternal and the Only True God, in a world filled with hatred and violence, where right and wrong are muddled and truth is relative, only Your Word is the lamp in the darkness. I’m willing to lay down my presumptions to accept Jesus Christ’s love and forgive everyone who has wronged me. I will choose eternal life and I pray this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.”

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Author: Rev. Dr. Timothy Tin is the lead pastor of the Christian Alliance Bible Church in L.A.. Rev. Tin serves as Board of Director in the International Fellowship of Christian Short Term Missions and Presence Quotient. Rev. Tin is currently teaching in USA Christian Mission Seminary. He holds practitioner’s licenses of acupuncture in Southern CA and NACCAOM in US. Rev. Tin received his Master’s degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from Alhambra Medical University, Master of Longevity Martial arts and Doctoral degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from University of East West Medicine. Rev. Tin is a frequent speaker in many churches and nonprofits organizations.