Tree of Knowledge

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Hi all,

The Tree of the Knowledge of good and evil was the tree of LAW.  Paul
tried to do GOOD, but found EVIL present with him instead.  (Ro. 7).
It is trying to attain to higher heights through LAW.  Since sin is
the strength of the Law, according to Paul, we can see how the tree is
linked.

LAW is man's attempts to make himself good aside from God's help.  God
said, "THOU SHALT NOT" in Law.  But Jesus later said without Him we
can do nothing.  And that is grace.

Paul said, "I am crucified with Christ...not I that liveth, but Christ
liveth in me."  Gal. 2:20

Christianity is not LAW, but grace.  Law came meerely to show man that
man cannot make himself righteous through works.  If righteousness
come by the Law then Jesus died in vain.  There are two roads to
righteousness.  One will never get YOU there, though.  Law.  But GRACE
WILL!

Jesus literally hung on the tree of law, as He nailed the Law to the
cross (See Col. 2).  And it became a tree of LIFE for us!!!

The LAW KILLETH.

In the Garden, Eve failed and pursued higher heights through
independent effort and not through the LIFE of God.  Adam and eve
immediately began repairing damage through their own efforst by sewing
a fig-leaf apron.  This is the symbolism of man's whole scheme of
works.  The fig leaf apron represents all our man-made (WORKS OF LAW)
attempts to clothe ourselves in self-righteousness.  Adam thought the
aprons were sudficient, and pleased, he let off trying to produce any
more of a covering.

Then God's VOICE came.  LAW.  THE WORD.  Man immediately realized at
the presence of God's WORD that he indeed was truly not clothed yet.
He answered God's address to him by saying, "I hid myself because I
was naked."  Did not Adam previously sew some aprons?  Yes.  But after
thinking it was sufficent covering, he realised upon revelation in the
light of God's WORD that it was indeed not.

Law came, but then grace came next as God had Adam walk out from
behind bushes wherein he hid, and allow God to remove the man-made
efforts of self-righteousness and strip him to nothing.  Then God
PROVIDED a covering, GOD-MADE, from an animal whose life was given for
Adam's sake.  And the NATURAL covering of that animal then became
Adam's covering, as the animal was left naked.

Jesus came after Law in grace and truth.  Righteousness was, as it
were, natural to Him!  His covering.  And He was slain on the cross
and His righteousness was removed leaving Him naked, literally and
spiritually.  He became naked instead of us and suffered for it,
whilst we became clothed IN HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS!

God bless ye all!

MBlume