The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.”   Genesis 2:15-17

Rules, by nature, are restrictive. But that can be a good thing in the right circumstances. Restrictions are the pathway to freedom. It may sound paradoxical, but if we look in the context of Scripture, we will see that it makes perfect sense.  God set Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and told them they were free, but they could not eat from one particular tree. God’s rules are designed to protect and empower us, and in that, we find our freedom to choose the best that God has for us. 

The New Testament describes God’s rules as “the perfect law that gives freedom” (James 1:25). And in Adam and Eve’s case, the rule forbidding them to eat from the tree gave them freedom to choose a relationship with God. 

God gives us the power to choose. We can either choose to enjoy the freedom of a relationship with him, or we can choose a life bound to the destructive ways of this world. The choice is yours—are you truly free?

Lord, thank you for giving us your Word to protect us from falling prey to the evil one. There is no true freedom outside of your perfect law. Help me to commit to your law so I can enjoy the true freedom that only you can give. In Jesus’ name, Amen.