The gift of the human will

"Why did God planted the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil in the Garden of Eden?" This question popped up during lesson time with the Whamers. Genesis chapter three is a very interesting chapter to study. So why? For the same reason God planted the Tree of Life in Eden; a visual reminder to Adam and Eve of the power of the human will.

We are created by God with a will. This is that which separates us from animals. Although animals may behave like they have a will, they are merely responding to instincts and conditioning. To have a human will is to have the moral consciousness and ability to choose, and especially so between good and evil. The Tree of Life was there visually to remind Adam and Eve to choose life over death. The Tree of knowledge of Good and Evil was to remind them of the presence of evil that exist prior to their creation and that they must choose God over the devil. It was never planted to tempt them for God cannot tempt. Think of the tree like traffic lights. These were not installed to criminalize road users but to remind them to choose to obey the law over lawlessness. It's a necessary “evil”.

Another question popped up. "Why did God made man with a will?. Wouldn't it be better if mankind doesn't have the ability to choose and just simply obey God?". I had to explain that it would not be possible for mankind to not have a will because we were made in the image of God. Having a will, the ability to choose, is the pinnacle of God's creative power. But of course with great power comes great responsibility too. Spider man understood that but we don't need super powers to understand this. We know it takes great responsibility to exercise our will cos every decision we make, there's the consequence that follows.

Consequence is like the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. When you eat, you pay. In the case of Adam and Eve, they paid with their lives. Death. So why then did God made us with the ability to choose? To cause us to fall? What is there for God to gain if we fall? Death is not a reward. It's a consequence. God is about LIFE. He created all things good for life's sake. He wants us to enjoy His creation, His blessings. Everything that was made was made for our pleasure. All we need to do is to exercise our will correctly whenever we encounter “traffic lights”. When it's green, have a safe drive. When it turns yellow, slow down. And when it's red, choose to stop! And walla ... not only will you be safe, you will arrive at your destination safely. But if you choose to exercise your will incorrectly and speed up at yellow and dash across at red, that one moment may change your life forever! Adam and Eve found out the hard way.

Having a will, the ability to choose is a beautiful thing. God gave us a will so we can enjoy His blessings and beauty of creation. Everything God made was made for life, for beauty. All we need to do is to exercise our will correctly and choose life over death; choose God over the devil. A lot of times we struggle like Eve in the Garden of Eden. But let's not forget about the Tree of Life! So let's be reminded today that the power to live a blessed or a cursed life is entirely on us. Just as God did everything for Adam and Eve back then, God too have done so for us through His Son Jesus Christ. It's up to us now what we do with our lives. Take time to read Deuteronomy 28. God laid down His love and intention in the list of blessings and curses. What's your will on this? 

“But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:15)