The Two Trees

And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil…. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. Genesis 2:9, 16-17 (KJV)

And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. Genesis 3:6-7 (KJV)

There were two trees in the Garden of Eden: the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The tree of life represents the cross. The tree of the knowledge of good and evil represents man’s attempt to distinguish good from evil on his own, independent of God. One brings life, and one brings death.

Through their fall, Adam and Eve became independent of God, thus relying on themselves to distinguish good from evil. Before the fall, they were God-conscious, but after the fall, they were self-conscious. Now, man draws wisdom from himself instead of God. He is reliant on himself to take care of himself. Now, man without God sets his own laws and identifies what he thinks is right and wrong- apart from the laws of God found in His written Holy Word.

Satan tempted her to disbelieve what God said. He lied and told her that when they ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil that tehy would not die. While they didn’t physically die immediately, they died spiritually, becoming separated from God.

Fast-forward 4,000 years. God sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross, the tree of life. And through Jesus Christ, we can now once again have the life of God. The cross brings life and reconciliation with God. As we receive, or partake of the fruit of cross, Jesus, we receive life eternal. And as we feed on Jesus, God’s Word, we receive the truth that sets us free.

In partaking of God’s Word, we can believe God, obey God, and live with God. However, those who partake of the knowledge of good and evil will believe lies and will try to be gods without God. Living by their own standards and natural knowledge, they remain separated from God and they die.

So, we must choose between two trees: the cross of Christ which is the tree of life, or the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. One brings life, blessing, and reconciliation. The other brings death, cursing, and separation. The choice seems clear, but many will choose incorrectly. Choose this day who you will serve. This will determine your life, destiny, and eternity.

And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. Revelation 22:1-4 (KJV)

As we overcome, we will have the right to access the tree of life. Choose life. Choose Christ.