There have been many tragedies that have occurred in man's history. However, none of these were of the magnitude of the first sin (Gen 3:1-13). When we look at the consequences of this sin, we see how every man has suffered a measure of the results from it.

Sin is defined as lawlessness (I John 3:4). "All unrighteousness is sin" (I John 5:17). And, "whatsoever is not of faith is sin" (Rom 14:23). James says, "to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin" (James 4:17). God's word is law. To violate God's law is sin. The word sin literally means "to miss the mark." It means to fail to keep God's law, either by doing what is condemned by God's word or failing to do what is commanded by God's word. When we violate God's law we sin. We disobey God through yielding to Satan's temptation. "He that doeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning" (I John 3:8).

God's words tell us that the basic avenues of sin are the "lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the vain glory of life" (I John 2:16). These were the channels of Satan's approach in the Garden of Eden, and in the temptation of Christ, and they are the same today. Satan uses the most forceful means. He strikes at the weakest point, in the most suitable time and place. We must always be armed with the Christian's armor. (Eph 6:10-18).

Wrong is wrong; sin is sin. We may attempt to justify it, to make excuses for doing it, or to dress it up and make it appealing, inviting or alluring. But sin is still sin. We will reap what we sow. "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap" (Gal. 6:7-8). The sinner will reap the consequences of his sins. "The wages of sin is death" (Rom. 6:23). It was so with the first sin in Eden and it hasn't changed. The penalty of eternal death is certain to you or me today if we violate God's perfect law in Christ. Our only hope to escape this penalty is through Jesus Christ. Christ overcame sin; he can help us, if we will trust in him and obey him. Will you not obey the gospel of Jesus Christ that you might have your sins forgiven? The apostle Paul said, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek"

(Rom 1:16). Only through the gospel of Christ can we escape the consequence of the greatest tragedy in man's history.