In the beginning, mankind was created out of the abundant kindness and love of God and we were created for communion. Communion with God, with one another, and with creation itself. 

When our forebears fell by eating of tree of the knowledge of good and evil, so did this communion. This was an act of hubris on the part of man and, as is self-evident, this singular act has had devastating consequences. Sin has entered the world. 

It is important to not view sin as merely the breaking of rule or law. Rather we need to understand that engaging in it breaks communion with our Creator, with one another, and with creation. Mankind is now banished from the Garden of Eden. 

If we recall the history of our Fall, then we know that in addition to the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, there was also the tree of life which had not yet been consumed. Most western Christians consider this to be our shared curse. 

A proper view treats our expulsion as an act of divine mercy and marks one of the beginning steps on the path to redemption. Out of love, man was expelled from the Garden so as to prevent him from eating of the tree of life in his fallen state. Death, then, becomes an act of mercy. Can you imagine an eternal existence in our fallen state, with all of our suffering, forever out of communion with God, with one another, and with creation?