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Basic Principles of the Bible Two Trees
Basic Principles of the Bible
Two Trees
Tree of Life Tree of the Knowledgeof Good and Evil
In the beginning, God made Adam and put him in the Garden of Eden.There were two trees in the garden.One was the tree of life, and the other was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
(God Himself)(Independent from God)
The tree of life represented “God Himself”;while the tree of knowledge of good and evilrepresented “independent from God”.
Tree of Life Tree of the Knowledgeof Good and Evil
It was God’s will for Adam to choose the fruit of the tree of life.It means God want to be his provision and satisfaction.
(God Himself)(Independent from God)
Tree of Life Tree of the Knowledgeof Good and Evil
However, Adam chose to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.By eating it, Adam wished to have the wisdom to be his own master and not to depend on God.
(God Himself)(Independent from God)
Tree of Life Tree of the Knowledgeof Good and Evil
Because Adam violated God’s order, he sinned; and the sin seperated man from God.From then on, peace was lost in human life.
(God Himself)(Independent from God)
Tree of Life Tree of the Knowledgeof Good and Evil
Man’s spirit, which was his organ to communicate with God, died.As a result, man could not hear the voice from God,and he had to judge and make decision by his own limit wisdom.Life was full of errors and frustration thereafter,losing eternal purpose and hope.
(God Himself)(Independent from God)
Tree of Life Tree of the Knowledgeof Good and Evil
However, God did not give up the human beings.He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to the world.He was the Lamb of atonement bearing man’s sin.He died on the cross, so that whoever believes in Himmay escape from God’s wrath and be reconciled with God.
The spirit of those who received His salvation was quickened and came to alive.They could hear God’s voice again!
Not only so, God’s Spirit now dwells in themand is with them continuously.He becomes their light, joy, peace, wisdom, strength,holiness and satisfaction.
French philosopher Blaise Pascal said, “There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus.”
Jesus said, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.“ (John 6:51)
Is Jesus inviting us to eat Him?
God gives Jesus Christ to us.
Jesus Christ is God Himself.
The tree of life represents Jesus.
(God Himself)(Independent from God)
Tree of Life Tree of the Knowledgeof Good and Evil
Jesus said, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.“ (John 6:51)
How can we eat the flesh of Jesus?It is by believing and receiving Jesus as the Lord of our livesthat we are taking Him into our beings.
(God Himself)(Independent from God)
Tree of Life Tree of the Knowledgeof Good and Evil
The tree of life represents Jesus.
We are eating His flesh everyday by drawing near to Him, praying to Him, reading His words and obeying His commandments.The essence of Himself then become our composition,so that we may become more and more like Him.
(God Himself)(Independent from God)
Tree of Life Tree of the Knowledgeof Good and Evil
The tree of life represents Jesus.
Just like Adam in thousands of years ago, we are now facing the same question everyday:Shall I eat the fruit of the tree of life (i.e., relying on God)?or shall I eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil(i.e., away from God and relying on myself)?
(God Himself)(Independent from God)
Tree of Life Tree of the Knowledgeof Good and Evil
Rely on God? Rely on myself?
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. (Prov 3:5-8)
(God Himself)(Independent from God)
Tree of Life Tree of the Knowledgeof Good and Evil
Pray more? Worry more?
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:6-7)
(God Himself)(Independent from God)
Tree of Life Tree of the Knowledgeof Good and Evil
Give thanksfor everything? Complain?
Be joyful always; pray continually;give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.(1Thes 5:16-18)
(God Himself)(Independent from God)
Tree of Life Tree of the Knowledgeof Good and Evil
Do everything without complaining or arguing,so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe. (Phil 2:14-15)
(God Himself)(Independent from God)
Tree of Life Tree of the Knowledgeof Good and Evil
Give thanksfor everything? Complain?
Love, humbleand be obedient?
Argue and demand fairness?
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. (Rom 12:19)
(God Himself)(Independent from God)
Tree of Life Tree of the Knowledgeof Good and Evil
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. (Matt 5:3,5,7)
(God Himself)(Independent from God)
Tree of Life Tree of the Knowledgeof Good and Evil
Love, humbleand be obedient?
Argue and demand fairness?
Everytime I choose to trust in God, I eat a fruit of the tree of life.
(God Himself)(Independent from God)
Tree of Life Tree of the Knowledgeof Good and Evil
Rely on God, not on myself.
Pray more, not to worry.
Give thanks for everything, not to complain.
Love, humble and be obedient, not to argue or demand fairness.
(God Himself)(Independent from God)
Tree of Life Tree of the Knowledgeof Good and Evil
Rely on God, not on myself.
Pray more, not to worry.
Give thanks for everything, not to complain.
Love, humble and be obedient, not to argue or demand fairness.
Everytime I choose to pray instead of worry, I eat another fruit of the tree of life.
(God Himself)(Independent from God)
Tree of Life Tree of the Knowledgeof Good and Evil
Rely on God, not on myself.
Pray more, not to worry.
Give thanks for everything, not to complain.
Love, humble and be obedient, not to argue or demand fairness.
Everytime I give thank to God, I eat one more fruit of the tree of life.
(God Himself)(Independent from God)
Tree of Life Tree of the Knowledgeof Good and Evil
Rely on God, not on myself.
Pray more, not to worry.
Give thanks for everything, not to complain.
Love, humble and be obedient, not to argue or demand fairness.
Everytime I choose to humble down, I eat a big fruit of the tree of life.
Waiting on God (Martha W. Robinson)
Whenever you can, take a few minutes of just waiting on Jesus, not necessarily praying but just waiting, looking into His face, desiring His presence.
At first you may not seem to receive much; but if you take every opportunity, presently your soul will hunger for Him and the sweetness of Himself will come to you, and you will get like lovers, rather slip away with Him just for a minute or two than to talk, or read, or rest, or eat.
And when you are tired, or rushed, or nervous, a few minutes with Him, in the stillness of His presence will rest you more than anything in the world.
If we looked at Jesus more, and ourselves, and our friends, and our trails, and our failures, and conditions of life, and the world, the flesh, and the devil less, we would reflect His image more and more; and the hardness and impurity, and temper, and selfishness would fade away, and tenderness, and purity, and gentleness, and love would take their places -- changing from glory to glory.
