A Journey Back to the Garden: Choosing God’s Way in a World of Temptation
by Thomas Lee Abshier, ND
3/20/2025
From the beginning, humanity was designed to walk in fellowship with God, enjoying His presence and living in harmony with His creation. God and man shared an intimate relationship in the Garden of Eden, a reflection of the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. However, the fateful choice to disobey God and seek the fleeting pleasures of sin set mankind on a path of rebellion, pain, and separation. Yet, even in this fallen world, God offers a way back—a return to the Garden through obedience, faith, and the transformative power of Jesus Christ.
The Fall: A Contract with Death
When Adam and Eve chose to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, they opened the door to sin and its devastating consequences. Humanity, in its innocence, lacked the wisdom to distinguish between good and evil. In succumbing to the seduction of bodily hunger, mankind unknowingly entered into a contract with the forces of darkness. This contract bound mankind to the dominion of sin, where fleeting moments of pleasure served as the bait for a lifetime of decay, bondage, and eventual death.
The price of sin is not imposed by God in anger or vengeance but is built into the very structure of life. God’s Law is perfect, and its violation inevitably leads to destruction. The demonic realm, created by God as a contrast to His goodness, thrives on this destruction. Demons are empowered by death, pain, and suffering—values that stand in stark opposition to God’s character of love, life, and freedom. In this system, mankind’s choices determine allegiance: to the God of life or to the spirits of death.
The Purpose of Free Will
God’s creation of the demonic realm and the possibility of sin was not an act of cruelty but an act of love and justice. By granting humanity free will, God allowed for a meaningful choice between good and evil, between love for Him and allegiance to the world’s temptations. The universe is, in essence, a training ground for the soul—a place where repeated choices and habits shape a person’s character and eternal destiny.
God’s Law is not arbitrary; rather, it is the path to true fulfillment and joy. Living according to His principles satisfies the deepest longings of the human heart and aligns us with the divine purpose for which we were created. Conversely, feeding the desires of the flesh—unchecked hunger for power, sex, and material gain—leads to emptiness and destruction. The temptations of the demonic realm appeal to humanity’s animal nature, but they can never truly satisfy.
The Redemption: Jesus Christ, the Perfect Sacrifice
The story of humanity’s fall is not the end. God, in His infinite love, provided a way for mankind to be redeemed from the contract with death. This redemption came through Jesus Christ, who lived a perfect, sinless life and offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice. His unjust crucifixion was the demons’ attempt to destroy the Son of God, but in their act of rebellion, they violated the very Law they sought to enforce. Jesus’ death, therefore, became a credit in the divine economy—a payment for sin that could be applied to all who accept Him as Lord and Savior.
Jesus’ sacrifice broke the power of the demonic contract. By accepting His death as payment for our sins, we are freed from the bondage of sin and death. The gift of freedom is a legal transaction and a reward of a transformation of the heart and soul. When we commit to living a Godly life and aligning ourselves with His Spirit, we are spiritually and morally reborn. The credit of Jesus’ death is available to all, but it requires sincere repentance and a commitment to follow His Way.
Returning to the Garden
Through Christ’s redemptive work, humanity is invited to return to the Garden—not as naïve innocents but as mature souls who have chosen God’s Way over the fleeting pleasures of sin. This return is a process of sanctification, where we grow in Godly character by listening to the Holy Spirit, studying Scripture, and living in obedience to God’s Law.
The Kingdom of Heaven is not just a future hope but a present reality that begins within us. We manifest His Kingdom on earth by aligning our lives with God’s principles. This transformation extends beyond the individual to families, communities, and nations. By resisting the destructive impulses of the demonic and cultivating a culture of obedience to God, we participate in restoring the world to its original purpose.
A Call to a New Renaissance
In this age of confusion and moral relativism, there is a pressing need for a new Renaissance that integrates the wisdom of Scripture with the entirety of human knowledge. Renaissance Ministries explores the intersections of faith, science, philosophy, and culture, uncovering the truths that bring clarity and peace. By examining every question and resolving every paradox, we can build a seamless worldview that honors God and equips humanity to live in accordance with His Way.
The Bible reveals a God of love, justice, and mercy—one who desires obedience, not sacrifice, and longs for humanity to choose life over death. Properly understood science aligns with this revelation, as the laws of nature reflect the character of the Creator. We can cultivate personal peace, community harmony, and a deeper understanding of our place in the universe through reasoned faith and purposeful living.
A Life of Purpose and Peace
Following God’s Way is not just a moral obligation but the path to true peace and fulfillment. When we align our lives with His principles, we find freedom from the bondage of sin and the destructive patterns of the flesh. We experience the joy of living in harmony with God, others, and ourselves.
This journey is not without challenges, but it is one of profound rewards. As we grow in Godly character and live according to His Spirit, we become beacons of light in a dark world. We participate in the ongoing restoration of creation, bringing the Kingdom of Heaven to earth. Through faith, obedience, and the redemptive power of Jesus Christ, we can reclaim the Garden and live as God intended—in fellowship with Him, now and forever.