The Invasive Power of Sin

The tree- of- heaven or Ailanthus altissimo, by it's common name seems like it would be a good tree however, this tree is a highly invasive tree that was introduced by a horticulturist in Pennsylvania in the 1700's.

A tree once thought to be a good addition to the landscaping repertoire of the day has proven to be a problem.

It was seen as horticulturist's dream because of it's ease of establishment, rapid growth and disease resistance.  However, over time some things have come to light.

The tree- of -heaven's ability to grow rapidly means that its roots are rapidly invading the area where it is growing, preventing space for other trees to grow and thrive.  But that isn't the only reason that its a nuisance.  It produces chemicals that actually can prevent or kill other trees that are near it.

This tree is also a prolific seed producer so it quickly can produce after its own kind.

I call this tree a tricky tree because it has the appearance of being a good, fruit bearing tree but it snuffs out the life around it so that it can quickly reach the canopy further hindering the growth of important saplings on the forest floor below.

This fierce competition to get to the top is typical in the world in which we live.  We buy into the lie that says that we are competing against one another as Christians to have a more visibly fruitful life, or we appear to be growing rapidly because we are able to abide by the law in our own view of scripture all without knowing that a destructive chemical is flourishing and being produced in our lives.

Sin, like the tricky tree-of-heaven, seizes any opportunity that it can get through a life that is trying to do and be good.  It is powerfully invasive.

Romans 7:8-11

But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment,produced in me all kinds of covetousness.  For apart from the law, sin lies dead.  I was once alive apart from the law, 

but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died.  

The very commandment that promised life prove to be death to me.  For sin, seized an opportunity through the commandment, 

deceived me and through it killed me.  

Just like the tree-of-heaven boasts deceitfully of great rewards, so abiding in the law without the fulfillment of the law, brings death.  

Jesus came that we might have life and have it to the full.  There is no other means by which we are saved from the law of sin and death.

We can't do enough, we can't walk uprightly enough, we can't grow and produce fruit apart from Him.  We are hopeless in our attempts to follow the law.

Trying to adhere to the commands of God apart from the One who fulfilled the law produces in us all kind of covetousness or in other words, unthankful lives.  

We are wretched in our competition to rise to the top of the spiritual ladder without the law of the Spirit of life that has set us free from the law of sin and death!

Romans 8:3-4

For God has done what the law, 

weakened by the flesh, could not do.  

By sending this own Son 

in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, 

he condemned sin in the flesh, 

in order that the righteous requirement of the law 

might be fulfilled in us, 

who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.  

I have often said, " I was never good at religion".  I know now what I was talking about.  I realized that the more I tried to do and be good the more I failed miserably but when I started abiding in Christ I could walk in the Spirit!

Romans 8 goes on to say;

For those who live according to the flesh 

set their minds on the things of the flesh, 

but those who live according to the Spirit 

set their minds on the things of the Spirit.  

For to set the mind on the flesh is death, 

but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.  

For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile toward God, 

for it does not submit to God's law; 

indeed, it cannot.  

Those who are of the flesh cannot please God.  

I am encouraged by the word of God and that Jesus speaks a better word over our lives so that we grow and flourish through being rooted and grounded in Him.

God looks at our hearts and He knows when we are striving to keep up with the law and when we are walking in freedom.  

You are a good Father who sent Your only Son to fulfill that law that we might know You and walk in  the Spirit with life and peace.  We thank you that we do not have to obey the law apart from Christ dwelling inside of us, empowering us every step of the way.

Help us Lord to see when our futile minds wander onto the path of perfectionism that proves to be toxic to our lives and the lives around us.  We want heaven to come down to earth, we don't want to be deceived that we can do it on our own because we were never meant to!  Lord, cut down any toxic tree that would say we can get to heaven any other way.