The Tree And The Law

1 Corinthians 15:56-58 ESV
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

The tree in the Garden and the law given in the desert were vehicles of choice.

There is a connection between the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and the law given in the wilderness.

Disobedience brought death, the result of sin. The law showed us what sin is,

The tree of disobedience in the garden opened the eyes of Adam and Eve. With their eyes opened, they found themselves naked. They saw their poverty and distance from God.

The law opened our eyes to sin and our distance from God. Our poverty and nakedness was suddenly before us.

Eating the fruit of disobedience brought death. The law brought knowledge and accountability of sin, which brings us to the understanding of grace and our need for grace, which is the way to life.

Disobedience holds us captive, expelled from the Garden. The sword of truth guards the gate to Eden.
The law was given to bring us back.

Adam stood before the tree in the Garden.
Israel stood before the mountain in the wilderness.
We stand in the shadow of the cross.

The tree of the forbidden fruit brings us to the need for the Law, and its discipline of instruction and wisdom. The fruit from this tree becomes the word of God, Scripture which helps us understand good and evil, between the divine and the profane.
The Law brings us to Christ, Who sets us free from the law, and brings us back into the presence of God and to the tree of life. He led the captives free.

If we are faithful to Him, we will eat from the tree of life.

We followed Satan in his expulsion from God. Satan is cast down to ground and we return to the earth at our death without Jesus. Dust to dust.

We find ourselves in the wilderness governed by Satan, where we are tempted and might learn to trust and follow God. Jesus led by example, the word of Scripture providing the answer. We will overcome the same way, remembering what He said.

We can be raised and return to God.
We stand before the two trees: of life and death.
Satan has already been judged.
We choose which resurrection we will join: the resurrection of Jesus or the resurrection of judgement.

There has always been that choice.

The righteous requirement of the law remains. It is fulfilled in Christ, thus freeing all trusting in Him. It cannot be met any other way.

The law of liberty is written on the heart by the finger of God, in the form of His Son and in the fire of His Spirit. The eternal flame of life sheds its light within and to the world.

There was one way to disobey in the Garden.
Eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Then was given the one way back to the presence of God.
It is through Jesus Christ Who fulfilled the law.

Both give sight to good and evil, bringing into view the difference.


Man could not obey either command.
Life was beyond our reach.

The hand of His mercy reached out for us.
Upon eating of the forbidden fruit, Adam and Eve were cast out of Eden and clothed in animal skins.
Upon eating of the bread of heaven, we are clothed in righteousness, we "put on Christ".