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HELEN SANDERS
1-13-2026
TWO GARDENS – TWO TREES
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God placed Adam and Eve in the most beautiful garden, the Garden of Eden, to live in. They did not have to toil to take care of the garden. Fruit of every kind was theirs to eat. Their only prohibition was eating the fruit of one tree, the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Every other tree was theirs to enjoy, including the tree of life.
This garden was created for man to enjoy, and the fruit from every tree and plant would have sustained them forever. Satan, subtle and cunning put doubt in Eve’s mind about the one tree that they should not eat from and she along with Adam gave in to his lies. Because of their disobedience, sin entered, and the garden was no longer Adam’s and Eve’s. They were cast out forever.
Then there was another garden where Jesus was put to the test. There was also a tree that had been made into a cross used for crucifixion. The test was different. He had to choose to eat of the tree of death, knowing it would bring salvation to all mankind. He asked the Father to remove this cup of death from him, but he chose the Father’s will rather than his own and submitted to Him. This is where Jesus won the battle of the flesh. This is where he willingly offered his will to God and submitted to the Father’s plan. This is where his desires were crucified to be obedient unto death.
Romans 5:12 says, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” Romans 5:19 says, “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.”
Hebrews 12:1b-2 says, “…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
We can choose to disregard God’s offer of salvation, but in so doing, we will be separated from God forever. But, if we choose to surrender our life to Jesus Christ, then we are crucified with Christ, but live for eternity.
Two trees. Two choices. One brought sin, the other brought eternal life. The two trees lie before us. Which tree will you eat from?
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