Adam walked with God in the cool of the garden. Animated by the breath of God, he lived freely in union with the glorious Father of life - the One immutable will to all goodness.

Falling for the lies of the serpent, Adam willingly surrendered his union with God and his appointed state as sovereign in the earth. Hence he, and all who came forth from him, fell under the power of the evil one, under the curse of sin and death.

Adam and his entire progeny were dead men walking; incapable of altering their inexorable march to doom. In mercy God set in motion a plan of redemption for Adam's race. Through laws and ordinances, prophets and judges God so steered men's souls and consciences toward a capacity to receive the redemption He had prepared.

The results of obedience or rejection of God's laws are fully detailed in the Books of Moses (Pentateuch). The blessings of obedience may be simply stated as being and acting 'with God'. The curse is the state of being 'apart from God’.

Union: blessed. Separation: cursed.

With God, one is encapsulated in a heavenly sanctuary on a deeply hostile planet. Without God one is under the dominion of the father of lies, whose relentless intention is to steal, kill and destroy.

Inside God: safe. Outside: not. So very far from that cool garden.