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The Tree of Life

We read about two significant trees in the Genesis description of the environmental splendor of Eden [Genesis 2: 8-17]. One is called “the tree of life” and the other is “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil”. In the first instance of how knowledge could determine the distance between God and man, God’s instruction to Adam and Eve included a prohibition from touching or eating fruits from “the tree of the knowledge of good and evil”. The instruction was in the form of a very strong and clear imperative - DON’T TOUCH! DON’T EAT! What followed was Satan’s first score in getting man to disobey the word of God in one process of distortion and guided deception. In one twinkle of disobedience and clear violation of God’s prohibition, Eve picked the fruit from the forbidden tree and somehow convinced Adam to do the same. And in a moment of justice, the first spiritual distance between God and man was established. The first line of spiritual demarcation between God and man was drawn, at least until the coming of the Christ [Genesis 3: 15].

There are two types of knowledge when we view life in terms of our proximity to God or distance from Him. There is the body of knowledge that brings one to God and keeps one there [Romans 5]. This type of knowledge is spiritual and reconciliatory in nature [1 Corinthians 12: 8]. And there is also that body of knowledge that separates and keeps one away from God. That type of knowledge is worldly and alienating. The knowledge of salvation and righteousness brings one to God and keeps one there. The knowledge of evil alienates from God and keeps one away from Him [1 Corinthians 15: 34]. And our closeness or distance from God could be a matter of the type of knowledge that we choose to pursue. Knowledge is either moving one closer to God or moving one gradually away from God. For example, a man without the knowledge of Jesus Christ is far from God rather than close to Him. And you are closer to God when you know Christ than when you don’t.

Zachariah, speaking and prophesying about the significance of his son, John, said of him, “...And you, child will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the LORD to prepare His ways; To give to his people the knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins...” [Luke 1: 76-77]. The knowledge of salvation is the only knowledge that brings one closer to God and keeps one in His presence. We need to exercise great caution and wisdom in our pursuit of knowledge. Some have allowed human knowledge to put a distance between them and God. Such people used to believe in God but do not believe any more [Hebrews 11: 6]. Knowledge could be misapplied as to become sin just as a man could also be misguided to become sinful. And that is when knowledge alienates from God rather than reconciles to him. What one knows could also depend on the tree the person chooses to eat from. And that is figuratively rather than literally of course.

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