The Relationship Between God and Man

When God created man, He didn’t make a robot—He made a soul. One that could think, feel, and choose. From the beginning, our relationship with God has been built on free will. And what we do with that choice determines everything.

The Power of Choice

“And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”
—Genesis 2:7

God gave us life—not just physical life, but the power to choose. He didn’t force us to worship or obey Him. He gave us that choice freely, and He still does today. But His desire is clear.

“For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”
—1 Timothy 2:3–4

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
—2 Peter 3:9

Even in the garden, God gave Adam a real decision:

“And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, 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.”
—Genesis 2:16–17

Before we ever hear the serpent speak, we need to know who he was. Lucifer—once a glorious angel—fell because of pride:

“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!”
—Isaiah 14:12

That same prideful spirit now works through Satan, who appeared in the garden with deception in his mouth:

“Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?”
—Genesis 3:1

“For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”
—Genesis 3:5

The enemy made sin look desirable. But just because it looks good doesn’t mean it’s of God.

The Consequences of Sin

“And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.”
—Genesis 3:6–7

Sin entered—and with it came guilt, shame, and separation.

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.”
—Romans 5:12

“And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.”
—Genesis 3:8

Even when we try to hide, God still comes looking. He still calls out. And He still offers grace.

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
—Romans 6:23

Faith and Obedience

God responded to sin with sacrifice.

“Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.”
—Genesis 3:21

“And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.”
—Hebrews 9:22

That principle carried on to their sons. Two brothers, two offerings—but only one was accepted.

“And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.”
—Genesis 4:3–5

“And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.”
—Genesis 4:6–7

Cain had a choice—but he rejected it.

“And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.”
—Genesis 4:8

Yet hope still lived in Seth’s line:

“And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.”
—Genesis 4:26

Noah: A Pattern of Obedience

When the world turned dark, one man still believed.

“And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth... But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.”
—Genesis 6:5–8

God gave him a plan:

“Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.”
—Genesis 6:14

Noah didn’t improvise. He followed every detail.

“By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.”
—Hebrews 11:7

“Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he.”
—Genesis 6:22

After the flood, God made a covenant.

“I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.”
—Genesis 9:13

As It Was in the Days of Noah

Jesus gave us a warning:

“But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”
—Matthew 24:37–39

The world today looks a lot like Noah’s. But God hasn’t changed—His plan still stands. And faith and obedience are still the key.

Final Thought

God gave us the ability to choose. That’s love. But He also gave us a way back from sin. That’s grace.

The pattern is clear: Faith. Obedience. Salvation.

Choose today to walk with God—just like Noah did.