The Tree part 2
In the same way that there are only two men who have ever lived (Adam and Jesus), in the beginning there were two trees. But, since man couldn't keep his hands off the tree of death, and because it couldn't produce any fruit, only death, Jesus went ahead and cursed the fig tree so that it would wither and die. Which brings us to Revelation 22:1-2 (NLT), "Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. It flowed down the center of the main street. on each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations." So we start with two trees. One of them messes man up big time, Jesus takes care of it, and we end up with only the Tree of Life when we get to the true paradise or Kingdom of God. And I just want to throw it out here that I believe the book of Revelation (the Revelation of Jesus Christ) is an in-depth look at the cross. So we can understand that nothing in the Bible is in our future. It is history. HIS story. And while these things are manifesting in our lives (in the sense of, "It has happened, it is happening, it will happen") we need to get out of the mindset of thinking we lack something, but someday God will hopefully give it to us. He gave us everything He has and everything He is when He gave us His only begotten Son. Jesus gave His life for us, yes, but He also gave His life TO us. So that we could have it. So what I'm trying to say today is, instead of trying to "turn over a new leaf," which would keep you on the same tree... good and evil were both on the same tree... we need to understand that fig leaves couldn't cover us at all. We needed lambskin. We need to understand that the fig tree can't produce any fruit... only the Tree of Life can. Twelve crops a year. Love for every season and situation. And while the leaves of the tree of death couldn't even cover man's nakedness... the leaves of the Tree of Life are for the healing of the nations! Everything we need is found on that tree. Because that Tree of Life is Jesus. And He is everything we need. So instead of swinging from branch to branch--"I was good yesterday, but I really messed up today, I hope the good outweighs the evil and God will love me"--we need to feast from the other tree. The fruit of the Tree of Life is the fruit of the Spirit. Which is love. When Jesus said He was the vine and we are the branches He was talking about this Tree of Life. We bear the fruit that HE produces. That's why He got rid of the fig tree--the tree of death--because it couldn't produce any fruit. He wanted us to change our diet. Because you are what you eat. And you can't give what you don't have. You can only give what you do have. When we are feasting on the fruit of the Spirit, filling ourselves up to overflowing with what we've been filled with, that's when we can SHARE what we have. That's when we can make it available to the people we come into contact with. That's when we can share it, and experience it even more fully. Think about your favorite movie. If you're anything like me you love watching that movie by yourself. Saying all the lines. Smiling the whole way through. But now think about watching that movie with your best friend. Shared experiences are better because, well, they are shared. Because now more than just you can enjoy it. That's how love works. Love is giving. Sharing what you've got is the very best way to experience what you've got. Letting what's inside come out by knowing and believing it's in there. Filling yourself up with the fruit from the Tree of Life. The fruit of the Spirit. Love!