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I was reading an interesting devotional the other day, by Jonathan Cahn, about the second tree. Now most of us have heard about the first and second Adam but are probably not as familiar with this idea of a second tree. When God created the garden of Eden, he placed the Tree of Life at the center and told man they could not partake of this tree. Adam and Eve, as we all know, didn’t listen and brought sin and death into the world. This is the first tree.

 To redeem man’s sin and offer life to mankind, Jesus died on a cross made of wood. This is the second tree. Cahn goes on to explain that through the partaking of the first tree, the Tree of Life, sin enters the world, and through the partaking of the second tree, the cross, we have forgiveness. Death enters through the first tree and is defeated, bringing life through Christ in the second. What a beautiful picture of redemption. But my mind didn’t stop there.

In Luke 9:23 Jesus says, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (ESV). I have always heard that this verse means to partake in the suffering and death of Christ, and it does mean that, but another part of me wonders if it means a little more. When people choose not to follow Christ, they partake in the first tree, sin and death, but if we follow Christ, He tells us to take up our cross daily. Why doesn’t he simply say to follow Him? The second cross defeated sin and death. When we take up our cross daily, we live in victory over all that came through the first tree. Jesus died to set us free, but if we accept him and forget to take up our cross, we live in defeat. There are many Christians out there today forgetting to live in victory over Satan, but through Christ’s blood and His redeeming work on the cross, we are no longer slaves to death. Brothers and sisters in Christ, let’s start taking up our cross and living in the victory of Christ!

Join us Sunday mornings at 9:30 am for coffee and fellowship and 10am for worship and a message from scripture. We are about 9 miles east of Cloudcroft on Highway 82 at Grace Through Faith Cowboy Church (formerly known as the Old James Canyon Church). Come as you are, no reservation needed!

C. Leonard

3And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

rOMANS 5:3-5 (KJV)

ADDRESS

2536 US HWY 82 CLOUDCROFT, NM 88317

CONTACT

GTFCC@PROTONMAIL.COM

Join us Sunday mornings at 9:30 am for coffee and fellowship and 10am for worship and a message from scripture. We are about 9 miles east of Cloudcroft on Highway 82 at Grace Through Faith Cowboy Church (formerly known as the Old James Canyon Church). Come as you are, no reservation needed!