THE ADORNMENT OF BEING

I believe the Genesis’ account of the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden is one that is very well known even to many people who don’t read the Bible. And it is interesting how the first thing that occurred from that fall is their awareness of their “nakedness.”

There is the practical side of that story in terms of this sudden revelation compelled them to find a way to cover themselves. Later God gave them the garments of an animal skin that isn’t specifically identified to cover them after they left the Garden.

According to one tradition this skin was one that had a special power that allowed Adam and Eve to have dominion over the animals. This is of course tradition and the bible itself doesn’t say this, but what we know is that after the fall not only have Adam and Eve had to wear some form of garment, but as a rule it has been the habit of most of mankind.

Yet I can’t help wondering if the nakedness mention had a greater meaning than the obvious. Did it also apply to the sudden “awareness” of their nakedness in terms of vulnerability. Before the fall in that perfect relationship with God they felt secure and had no sense of danger. But immediately after the fall they had this overwhelming sense of no longer having that kind of protection.

I think in one way this is part of the essence of what is suppose to be for any believer. It is to know we are far too naked in terms of our flaws to protect ourselves completely in a realm where there are not only elements in this life that can cause us harm, but those of a spiritual realm.

Part of this nakedness should drive us to seek God for covering and help. Some do, others don’t. And for some the illusion of self-reliance forces them to corrupt that total aspect of faith that embraces with the heart the type of covering God desires.

And we also know that even in Heaven we have a covering. For the scripture is clear that we will wear robes. Which in itself I feel is that ultimate perfect covering that reflects his Spirit’s total union with our souls. We will totally be the Lord’s with no barrier.

Perhaps that is part of why the description of angels often includes them dressed in robes. It might be a symbol of how they too are surrender to God’s adornment.

If this be reality then one can only imagine for those who aren’t among the redeem what an eternity of no type of covering must be like. Such would surely be the worst kind of terror to have nothing to protect you from the punishment that last forever.

But for those who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior there is always the joy of knowing the day will come when we shall know the kind of adornment that will never be taken away. Until then we have the joy too have being adorned, however imperfectly by the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

There are times that such adornment may not always be seen by others. It is a question of faith and one’s willingness to embrace it the Lord’s way.