From the Tree of Knowledge to the Tree of Life

Have you ever noticed how much of Christianity today seems centered around right and wrong? We’re often caught up in measuring ourselves—and others—by standards of success, morality, or outward blessing. If someone appears prosperous, we assume they’re doing things right. If life seems to be falling apart, we wonder what they did wrong.

But then we remember the Apostle Paul—writing scripture from a prison cell. By human standards, he was a failure. Yet, through God’s eyes, Paul was walking in the fullness of His calling. This reminds us of something profound: the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil” is still where many of us live—judging, measuring, and striving. It’s a miracle that any of us came to know Jesus under what I call the Gospel of Morality—a message more about performance than grace.

How Do You Know You’re Saved?

If I were to ask you, “How do you know you are saved?”—would you have to pause and think, or could you answer immediately?

Or what if I asked, “Does God love you?”—could you confidently say, “Yes, I know He does”?

Too often, we hesitate. We reflect on our recent actions—have we prayed enough, given enough, served enough? But that kind of thinking pulls us back to the wrong tree. It’s not about what we’ve done; it’s about what He has done.

The Simple Truth

God’s message of love is simple and clear.
God loves me—and He proved it through the cross.
God the Father gave His Son, Jesus, for my salvation.

Therefore, I stand firm in faith, rooted in the tree of life—Jesus Christ Himself. Everything I need, I receive as a gift from God.

So when someone suggests there’s something more I must do to be truly saved or accepted, I can boldly declare:

“Jesus is my salvation. It’s not by my works—it’s by His finished work.”

The Cross Changes Everything

Through Jesus, we now have unrestricted access to God. The Holy Spirit dwells in us—not because of our performance, but because of Christ’s perfection.

The tree of the knowledge of good and evil still exists, but we now apply the finished work of the cross to our conscience. As we do, guilt and condemnation begin to fade. Jesus has declared us innocent through His shed blood at Calvary.

Without Him, I am guilty.
With Him, I am forgiven—completely and forever.

A Confident Answer

So the next time someone asks, “Are you saved?” you can respond with full assurance:

“Because of Jesus, I am saved, loved, accepted, holy, forgiven, and righteous.”

Don’t allow anyone to shame or intimidate you about your faith. If your trust is in Jesus, He is more than enough.

May you walk today in the warmth of God’s love and the peace of His salvation.
Have a blessed day!