Adam and Eve were placed in a perfect garden environment by God, where they experienced his love and companionship. They were clothed in garments of light and glory before sin. When they disobeyed God by eating the forbidden fruit, they lost their divine garments and tried to cover themselves with fig leaves. God provided animal skins to clothe them instead, representing how salvation is through God's sacrifice, not human works. Only by accepting Christ's righteousness can people have their sins forgiven.

1. A GARMENT OF INNOCENCE Lesson 3

2. A PERFECTENVIRONMENT Adam and Eve were placed in a perfect physical and spiritual environment when they were created. PHYSICALENVIRONMENT God placed the first couple in a garden created especially for their comfort. That garden was rich in healthy food, they had an agreeable and satisfactory work and they were surrounded by varied vegetation and tame animals that were company suitable for them. SPIRITUAL ENVIRONMENT God went for a walk with them in the garden every afternoon, so they learnt more and more of God’s love. The angels went with them and gave them greater knowledge every day.

3. How can we have such a relationship with our Creator in a world corrupted by sin? God tells us in his Word how we must relate to Him and how to enjoy the benefits of His company.

4. GARMENTS OF INNOCENCE Our first fathers were clothed in the light of God’s glory before sin. It was similar to the glory that shined on Moses’ face when he spoke with God (Exodus, 34: 29-35). “The sinless pair wore no artificial garments; they were clothed with a covering of light and glory, such as the angels wear. So long as they lived in obedience to God, this robe of light continued to enshroud them” E.G.W. (Patriarchs and Prophets, cp. 2, pg. 45)

5. God tested their loyalty in the same way He tested the other worlds He created. Like the inhabitants of those worlds, they were free to choose whether do right or not. Ellen White visited other worlds and talked to their inhabitants in a view: “I asked one of them why they were so much more lovely than those on the earth. The reply was, “We have lived in strict obedience to the commandments of God, and have not fallen by disobedience, like those on the earth.” Then I saw two trees, one looked much like the tree of life in the city. The fruit of both looked beautiful, but of one they could not eat. They had power to eat of both, but were forbidden to eat of one. Then my attending angel said to me, “None in this place have tasted of the forbidden tree; but if they should eat, they would fall"” (E.G.W., Early writings, “God’s love for His people”, pg. 39) Although they were surrounded by a perfect environment, Adam and Eve chose to disobey their Creator and they lose their garments of light and met shame, suffering and death.

6. A HUMANGARMENT When they were aware of their sin, they tried to hide it by clothing in garments made by humans: a fig-leaf covering. We still try to hide or justify our sins with human works or reasoning. Those tries to cover our sins before God are nowadays as pathetic as they were at that time. “A fig-leaf apron will never cover our nakedness. Sin must be taken away, and the garment of Christ’s righteousness must cover the transgressor of God’s law. Then when the Lord looks upon the believing sinner, He sees, not the fig leaves covering him, but Christ’s own robe of righteousness, which is perfect obedience to the law of Jehovah. Man has hidden his nakedness, not under a covering of fig leaves, but under the robe of Christ’s righteousness” E.G.W. (The upward look, December 30)

7. “The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them” (Genesis, 3: 21) A DIVINEGARMENT The garment of light that they lost could not be replaced by a human made garment, but only by a divine made one. God sacrificed an innocent lamb to provide a garment for the sinner couple. The divine garment meant that man cannot be saved by his own works. Salvation is provided by God who sent his Son to die for us. Only the blood of Jesus can forgive sin. “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans, 3: 23-24)

8. “Sin is disloyalty to God, and [is] deserving of punishment. Fig leaves sewed together have been employed since the days of Adam, yet the nakedness of the soul of the sinner is not covered. All the arguments pieced together by all who have interested themselves in this flimsy robe will come to nought. Sin is the transgression of the law. Christ was manifest in our world to take away transgression and sin, and to substitute for the covering of fig leaves the pure robes of His righteousness. The law of God stands vindicated by the suffering and death of the only begotten Son of the infinite God” E.G.W. (The upward look, December 30)

9. “The Lord Jesus Christ has prepared a covering, the robe of his own righteousness, that he will put on every repenting, believing soul who by faith will receive it” (E.G.W., Review & Herald, 11-15-1898)

10. ADAPT it!Teaching Approach Effective for SMALL GROUPS ASSOCIATE truth – Why should I study this lesson?DISCOVER truth – What does the Bible say about this truth?APPLY truth – How can this truth affect my life today?PLAN using the truth – How can I use this truth today?TRANSFER truth to life – What changes do I need in my life? We invite you to download and study each one of the 13 lessons about Garment of Grace Slideshare.net/chucho1943