Whenever I read the story of the fall I am reminded of the better state we are in now than Adam and Eve were in before the fall. Before they fell Adam and Eve had a glorious relationship with God; there was no sin to make them flee from his presence. However, their relationship with God was based on their works – their own righteousness and perfect obedience.
Today, however, our relationship with God is not based on any internal righteousness or perfect obedience. Rather, on the righteousness and obedience of Christ. Adam and Eve were guaranteed a relationship with God as long as they were perfect. We are guaranteed a relationship as long as Christ is perfect (forever). Adam and Eve had a Creator/Creature relationship. We, in Christ, have a Father/Child relationship.
I am reminded of Hebrews 4:16 “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace…” (ESV). Adam and Eve, before the fall, could draw near to God in self-confidence. We draw near with confidence, but not in our self. It is a confidence that Christ “has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15 ESV) and that His righteousness has been imputed to us.
All this to say (while not minimizing the horror of sin) for us who are Christ’s, who trust in His righteousness rather than our own, we are indeed in a better state than Adam and Eve were before the fall. And what an even more glorious state we will be in when we are on the new earth, completely free from sin.
