Adam and Eve began life in true paradise, a different state of mind, and therefore, a different state of being. God’s creation of the world was enjoyable for Him, it was not laborious. God wanted the same for Adam as the Bible states, “And the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” (Gen 2:15)
There were two important trees in the garden: The tree of life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. God told Adam to eat freely of the tree of life, however, the tree of knowledge of good and evil was a test of obedience. “Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” (Gen 2:16)
There was a serpent whom also lived in the garden, a very sly and subtle creature. The serpent beguiled the woman to eat of the tree which God commanded them not to, as he was cunning in his words. The woman knew she was not to partake of the tree, but the serpent stated, “Thou shalt not surely die” and “Ye shall see as gods”, and she saw that the tree was indeed, “pleasant to the eyes”, bearing fruit to make one wise. The serpent was an evil spirit that made her doubt God’s words, and doubt she did. She took of the tree and shared with Adam. Their eyes were opened and they did see differently, but not the way the serpent had claimed.
Adam and his wife hid, for they suddenly saw things (and themselves) in a different way and felt ashamed. They also felt shame because they did something they knew they were told not to do. But it did not hurt God, it only hurt themselves; for they had opened a door to death. This was the fall of mankind in the beginning of time, as the name Adam translates to mankind.
They were cast out of the garden and they were no longer worthy or capable of living in the garden. God said they will now labor in pain, no joy, like a slave to the earth. “Cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life. In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” (Gen 3:17-19)
The garden of Eden was kept lit by a flaming sword, so that it may be possible to return back to it some day. “So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.” (Gen 3:24)
Adam and Eve seemed to be test subjects, with their decision and ultimately their curse, deciding the fate of the generations to follow. They indeed failed by disobeying God’s command, and in a way the world still suffers to this day. Jesus, however, was considered the “second Adam.” He came to Earth to die for our sins, the sins that were brought forth by the first Adam. However, Jesus showed a life of good and giving was possible, and set an example for others to follow. He began a new way of life.
Access to the tree of life is based upon a proper relationship with God, which is why Adam could not remain there after being disobedient. It is a fairly simple concept: tree of life results in life abundantly; tree of knowledge of good and evil results in death, as we see from Adam and Eve. My belief is that living the right life will get you back to the garden, back to a mindset and of peace and life. Life means the absence of sickness, shame, disease, guilt, and ultimately, death.
The Bible says Jesus died for our sins, so that we would not have to any longer. So, is there harm in believing we do not have to physically die? Can we live a life like Jesus, and ultimately conquer death, just as he had? The right and proper mindset, and living the right life, can equal everlasting life to who we are: here and now.
The way to life is lit for those who are looking. Learn what not to do from Adam’s example, and you will see you cannot truly live a good life by knowing both “good” and “evil”. Do good, receive good and do bad, receive bad – it’s ultimately karma.
Life can be whatever you make it to be, you have the power control it. But if you desire the ultimate journey, and the way back into a beautiful paradise like the garden of Eden, then you must be on the right (or righteous) path.