Sunday July 14, 2019
A Tree-mendous Buffet
God gave Adam and Eve everything they would ever want or need. They could enjoy the fruits of God’s labor and the peace of unbroken intimacy with their Creator. There was but one prohibition…the tree of knowledge of good and evil. With all that was before her, Eve ate off of the wrong tree. Now before we judge her, be reminded that many are still eating off of the wrong tree!
There were three areas of Eve’s deception and they are the same as those mentioned in 1 John 2:16: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life. The sin was more than eating forbidden fruit. It was disobeying the revealed Word and will of God. Believing the lies of Satan, they placed their own wills above God’s. (See WORD WISDOM for a deeper study of pride)
Hmm…that all sounds very familiar. Throughout recorded history, man has repeatedly chosen wisdom and knowledge of the world over life with and in God. Knowledge is defined as, “to know by seeing; to ascertain; to observe; to understand.” It is a see-it-to-believe-it knowledge. In other words, we want what we can tangibly see more than what we cannot. We eat from this tree quite often.
Many simply want to know about God. They seek the knowledge of who He is and what He has done. They want to learn the facts of the Word and the letter of the Laws. They want others to tell them what they think and know about God. Knowledge, knowledge, and more knowledge. But Paul says,
Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes one arrogant, but love edifies. And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him. (1 Cor.8:1-3)
You see, it is not knowledge itself that is the wrong fruit, it is knowledge outside of a life with God.
Oh that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection (life), and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death. (Phil.3:10)
But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also. (2 Cor.8:7)
Notice how knowledge is always inextricably linked to an experience with God….like life, grace, love, and power. Separate from God, knowledge is merely a set of dead and lifeless facts.
But then there is the tree of life! His life! Life abundant, life everlasting, fountain of life, river of life, life in the Word, Spirit-filled life, Bread of life, Living Water, long life, and a satisfied life…this is what God promises when we eat off of that tree.
Knowledge is the apprehension of the mind…life is the apprehension of the heart. Knowledge is passive…life is active. Satan would rather you know about God and not know Him personally. It is time to choose fruit from the right tree…that fruit is delicious!! That’s a tree-mendous buffet!
