"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 3:15
Something I'd never really noticed was how God says "I will put enmity..." What would have happened after Adam and Eve had sinned if God didn't put that enmity between humans and Satan?
Great Controversy enlightens in chapter 30...
"God declares: "I will put enmity." This enmity is not naturally entertained. There exists naturally no enmity between sinful man and the originator of sin. Both became evil through apostasy. Had not God specially interposed, Satan and man would have entered into an alliance against Heaven; and instead of cherishing enmity against Satan, the whole human family would have been united in opposition to God. Satan tempted man to sin, as he had caused angels to rebel, that he might thus secure co-operation in his warfare against Heaven. But when Satan heard the declaration that enmity should exist between himself and the woman, and between his seed and her seed, he knew that his efforts to deprave human nature would be interrupted; that by some means man was to be enabled to resist his power."
"It is the grace that Christ implants in the soul which creates in man enmity against Satan. Without this converting grace and renewing power, man would continue the captive of Satan, a servant ever ready to do his bidding. But the new principle in the soul creates conflict where hitherto had been peace. The power which Christ imparts enables man to resist the tyrant and usurper. Whoever is seen to abhor sin instead of loving it, whoever resists and conquers those passions that have held sway within, displays the operation of a principle wholly from above."
What happened when Adam and Eve fell is that their power of choice was taken away from them. Without God's grace we would be mindless servants of Satan. In fact we would be warring against Heaven! Scary thought, huh? What is so fascinating is that as soon as Adam and Eve sinned, Jesus stepped up and immediately took responsibility for the action of sin that grace might be administered. (Genesis 3:15 is the first prophecy of the Messiah to come.) The enmity placed between humans and Satan is the power of choice being reinstated. While our character is now sinful instead of perfect as Adam and Eve's that choice against evil is still ours'. It's a second chance. Isn't God good?
(images: http://www.mts.net/%7Ewarreno/eden.jpg, http://healmenow.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/grace3.jpg)
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