TreeHouse of Life

TreeHouse of Life:

There’s one verse (actually part of one verse) in the Bible that has profoundly impacted my life quite possibly more than any other, and that verse is Romans 14:23b.

“...and anything that does not come from faith is sin.”

Throughout Scripture, and frequently through David’s psalms, God reveals the stark contrast between faith and sin. Prior to Adam’s sin in the Garden of Eden humanity had not sinned, but they had not demonstrated faith in God either.

God never required us to earn our way into His life-giving, and life-defining, presence. He formed us from the dust of the earth and breathed life into us so that we could enjoy The Almighty’s wellspring of holiness and absolute perfection. His presence was our God-ordained residence, but He gave us a choice.

The choice between the Tree of Life and the Tree of Death was ours to make. There was no ambiguity, no divine negligence, no uncertainty regarding the consequence disobedience.

Prior to creating Adam’s female partner, Eve, we read, “The Lord God commanded the man, ‘Eat your fill from all of the garden’s trees; but don’t eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, because on the day you eat from it, you will die!’”

Faith in God’s abundant provision, goodness, and perfect character drives us into His life-giving presence. When we question God’s plans, His character, His essence, His fidelity, and His lovingkindness then we ultimately determine that He is unworthy of our trust, worship, praise, and our simple obedience. In doing so, contrary to God’s desire for us, we subsequently make and act on decisions apart from faith in our Creator, i.e. we sin, because “...anything that does not come from faith is sin.”

There are frequently times in our lives when sin creeps in through our circumstances. Oswald Chambers has this to say: “That which causes you to say ‘I will not obey’ is something less deep and penetrating than your will. It is perversity or stubbornness, and they are never in agreement with God. The most profound thing in a person is his will, not sin.”

When, in our will, we reject God’s plan, His character, His essence, His fidelity, His lovingkindness, and ultimately God Himself - then our will literally becomes sin. When we willfully choose to say, “I will not obey,” then we dive head first into the the black hole of sin.

Psalm 37:3-6 is a stark contrast to our thoughts, intentions, and actions that arise apart from faith. In it we read:

Trust the Lord, and do good things.

Live in the land, and practice being faithful.

Be happy with the Lord,

   and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Entrust your ways to the Lord.

Trust him, and he will act on your behalf.

   He will make the reward for your godly life shine like the dawn.

   He will make the proof of your honest life shine like the sun at noon.

With every thought, every decision, and every moment of each day we stand before the Tree of Life and the Tree of Death with an opportunity to “shine like the noonday sun” or to dive into the black hole of sin.

When we are born again of the Spirit of God then the black hole dwindles into oblivion, and through faith in Christ the Tree of Life becomes our exclusive and eternal residence.

Blessings,

-Kevin M. Kelley

aMostUnlikelyDisciple.com