God searches for us when we sin, which speaks to His grace and mercy. When the serpent tempted Adam and Eve to eat from the tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil in the garden, they ate. Genesis 3:7 At that moment, their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. 8 When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. [1]
In our shame, we look down, not realizing we find forgiveness when we come to the cross and not run away from it. Perhaps there was a time when you sinned and began to run away from God, only to realize He was pursuing you. Like lost sheep, the Lord searches for us not to punish but to call us to turn from our sins and towards Him.
A Good Father Seeks After Lost Children
The Lord is all-knowing and realized immediately when Adam and Eve disobeyed and fell into sin. In His mercy, He came to where them, but they hid because they were afraid. God called to them not because He did not know where they were but because He wanted them to come to Him by their free will. Yes, their sin would have consequences, but God’s undeserved love also existed.
God’s first act of love was searching for them because He loved them despite their sin. When we sin, this does not please God, but He pursues us so we can repent of our sins and turn back to Him. God is always about restoration and teaching us through our circumstances. The consequences of our sins are often painful, but God can use our suffering to teach us life lessons.
Jesus Came to Seek and Save the Lost
All of us are spiritually lost until the Holy Spirit pursues us and calls us to faith. Without this, we would spend eternity in hell. God sought Adam and Eve after their sin to tell them about sin’s consequences and restore them. Sin prevents us from experiencing the fullness of God’s forgiveness and love. Praise the Lord; He pursues us as He did when Adam and Eve sinned.
Jesus loves us so much that He made a way for us to receive salvation. Luke 19:10For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost. [2] The Father sent His Son Jesus to find us so we could experience abundant life on this earth and later in eternity. Let me ask you a question. Have you been found, or are you still hiding from God? It is never too late to answer God’s call and come to Him!
To learn more on how God searches for us, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-fall
[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Ge 3:7–8). Tyndale House Publishers.
[2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Lk 19:10). Tyndale House Publishers.