“...In the Day you eat of it [the tree] you will surely die” (Genesis 2:16,17)

The LORD warned Adam that he would “surely die.” The root meaning of death is separation. Physical death is the separation of the spirit from the body. Spiritual death is the separation of the spirit from God. When Adam disobeyed, he immediately died spiritually. His physical death would not take place for many years. In a similar fashion, a flower dies the moment its stem is cut but will appear alive in all its loveliness for several days.

Adam’s descendants come into this world separated from God. In other words, man is born spiritually dead and will die physically as a natural consequence. Thus the apostle Paul wrote, “And you, who were dead in your trespasses....” (Colossians 2:13). The only remedy for our desperate condition is to be made alive spiritually. As Jesus said to Nicodemus, “you must be born AGAIN” (John 3:7). This is something that Man cannot accomplish. The spiritually dead cannot bring about spiritual life through “good works” or religious activities, no matter how sincere. God must intervene.  This is why Christ came.

What is your condition? Jesus’ words to Nicodemus are still true today, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)