Exiles: From the Beginning

Every person on earth lives in exile, a reality that began when Adam and Eve chose pride over obedience in the Garden of Eden. Their attempt to cover their sin with fig leaves represents humanity's ongoing effort to fix our relationship with God through our own works. However, God immediately provided proper covering for them, foreshadowing the ultimate solution. Just as their homemade covering failed, our attempts to earn God's approval through good deeds always fall short. The only solution to end our exile was Jesus Christ, who lived the perfect life we couldn't live and died the perfect death to pay for our imperfect lives. This Advent season reminds us that God's rescue plan was always Plan A, revealing His gracious and compassionate character.