Had a conversation with a close friend concerning the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and how the rule not to eat of the tree caused us to enter into the reign of sin—The idea was that without rules, we cannot sin. (Rom. 5:13)
Of course, this paradox is silly. Without the choice to obey, we can't love, either—which is the entire purpose of our creation.
The fall: They said, "I want to be equal with You. I don't trust you. I don't trust your motives. I don't believe you are good or kind. I don't believe you can lead me as well as I can lead me. I don't want to depend on you. I need to work out a better deal for myself. I won't obey you. I don't love you."
This is death. The choice at the tree of the knowledge of good and evil gave expression to what was already in their hearts. It wasn't a mean God, tempting and making extraneous rules for a couple of people who deserved better.
The tree provided opportunity to choose obedience instead of self; to choose to love God. If we love Him, we obey Him.
We were created to love Him. We cannot be satisfied until we enter into that great exchange of love—and we cannot love without denying ourselves—we can't love Him without the choice.
The rule concerning the tree was a gift, a beautiful opportunity; it was free will, it was the choice.
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