In the beginning God created man
and woman in His image, stamped with His likeness, possessing pure hearts. They were made perfect without flaw.
Yet, when they chose to sin, they
marred forever the perfect creation gifted them by the Creator. From that day to this, the world has tended
to chaos and mankind to decay.
Many still believe there is no hope
of restoration until eternity comes. But
I want to encourage you all. It is true
we cannot restore creation (though we should work to preserve it as best we
can). We cannot restore our bodies
(though we should take care of them as God’s temple).
However, God can restore our souls
to the same status they had when created: pure and whole – perfect. The same sacrifice which Christ made for our
justification also provides the means for our sanctification – restoration of a
Garden Heart.
This does not mean you will be
perfect in every action, but it does mean you may be guided by the Holy Spirit
in every motive. Thus, though cursed
with a dying body in a fallen world, we may live with Heaven in our hearts.
How
about you? Have you met Jesus Christ and
surrendered all you are to all He is so you may be all you can be until you
reach the gates of Glory? Do you have a
Garden Heart?