Trees

1 John 2:7
Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning.

This may seem like a ridiculous question, but I’ll ask it anyway: what is the commandment that we’ve had from the beginning? I’m sure there are some that would answer, “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.”(Exodus 20:3). Others may answer with what Jesus said is the greatest commandment, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.” (Matthew 22:37) I don’t think either of these are the commandment that we’ve had since the beginning, however.

In order to determine the commandment that we’ve had from the beginning, the real “First Commandment,” you have to go back to the beginning, that is, you must look to Genesis. Genesis 2:16-17 is where we find the answer to this question: “And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

Did you know that you are feeding from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil every time you are taught about your sins and your flaws as a person? Did you know that every time someone points out to you how to “live right” they are feeding you from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil? This is why the church today looks so much like the world: we’re all eating from the same tree! Put the average Sunday message about marriage, parenting, or defeating addictions alongside the program notes for the Dr. Phil show and you’ll see that there isn’t much difference.

Perhaps you’re wondering, “What are we to do? God kicked us out of the garden.” That’s true, but through the cross He has restored mankind to a garden of Eden state of living. When Christ went to the cross it was to redeem us to the Father. He died so that we could have forgiveness of sin. He died to give us freedom from the curses of the Law. He died so that we could have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10).

God knew that the knowledge of good and evil would change our focus from simply relying on Him and receiving His grace to self reliance and trying to earn His acceptance. In the garden man was accepted by God, flaws and all. When the knowledge of our good and evil entered the picture, and we became naked, seeing ourselves as unrighteous, God had no choice but to acknowledge our flaws as well.

Thankfully, because of Jesus, the perfect man and Son of God, we have been restored. When we recognize that Jesus has bestowed upon us His righteousness, when we grasp the fact that Jesus has clothed our nakedness with His holiness, we can rest and receive all that God had intended from the beginning.

What have you heard from the beginning? Don’t eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, that is to say, don’t focus on the knowledge of your sin. Instead, eat from ANY other tree you want! Health, wealth, happiness, love, joy, and peace are just a few of the fruits of the trees God has provided for you. Most importantly, eat from the tree of life, the cross of Jesus Christ. Partake of His goodness, claim His righteousness, inherit His riches, and live a blessed, loved, and highly favored life!