The Love of God

 

The Love of God

Some people ask, why did God put a tree in the garden of Eden that would bring death to Adam and Eve if they chose to eat it?

"And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." - Genesis 2:16-17

Love isn’t love without free choice.

"If ye love me, keep my commandments." - John 14:15

And what is death? God said they would surely die if they ate of the tree.

Spiritual death, which comes by sin, is separation from God.

"Wherefore, as by one man [Adam] sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:" - Romans 5:12  

"But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear." - Isaiah 59:2  

Yet, God loves us. He manifested Himself in flesh so that He could pay the price of our sins and reconcile us back to Himself. (Colossians 1:20-23).

"To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them..." - 2 Corinthians 5:19

Those that choose to love God will obey the gospel and have eternal life with Him.

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:38

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." - Romans 6:23

This is why those that were baptized in the name of Jesus and filled with His Spirit were said to have ‘fallen asleep,' not died.

"And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep." - Acts 7:59-60

This is why Jesus said,

"I am come that they might have life..." - John 10:10