Every day, we make countless decisions—what to eat, what to wear, how to respond to offense. But the most important choice you make is often the one you don’t even realize: How will I approach God? From the very beginning, people have been faced with two ways to approach Him—through trust or through knowledge. The way you choose will shape everything about your faith, your relationships, and your future.

The Two Trees: Two Approaches to God

In Genesis, God placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, where they had access to two key trees that would nourish their life: the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (Genesis 2:8-9, 16-17). Most people reduce this story to simply being about sin, but it’s really about two different ways to live.

1. Tree of Life – Approaching God through relationship, trust, and His grace.
2. Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil – Approaching God through performance, rules, and self-reliance.

So what’s the difference? One leads to life and freedom, the other to shame and striving.

Three Viewpoints to Life and Faith

We often swing between these two approaches in different areas of life. Here are three ways this plays out:

1. Trying to Earn God’s Approval vs. Receiving It Freely

Many people think they need to "get good" before they can get close to God. This mindset says, “If I pray more, read my Bible enough, or serve at church, THEN God will accept me.” But the Bible teaches the opposite: Get God first, and He will transform your life.

John 5:39-40 (NIV) – “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.”

2. Seeking God’s Approval vs. Knowing You Already Loves You

Another false belief is that we must constantly prove ourselves to God. This sees God as a strict judge, always watching for mistakes. But Jesus shows us a different picture: God loves us on our best and worst days.

Romans 5:8 (NIV) – “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

God doesn’t love a future version of you—He loves you right now.

3. Obeying Out of Obligation vs. Loving Relationship

When we see God as a rule-maker, we obey out of duty. But when we see Him as a loving Father, obedience flows naturally out of love.

1 John 5:3 (NIV) – “In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.”

The Tree of Knowledge makes obedience feel like a heavy weight. The Tree of Life makes it a joyful response to love.

How to Have a Real Relationship with God

1. Fall in Love with Jesus – Focus on who He is and what He has done, not just religious habits.
2. View Temptation as a Relationship Test, Not Just a Willpower Test – The stronger your relationship with Jesus, the easier it is to resist sin.
3. Respond to Failure with Grace, Not Condemnation – When you mess up, don’t hide in shame. Run to Jesus, who always offers a way forward.

Romans 8:1 (NIV) – “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Your Choice: Life or Striving?

Every day, you decide which tree to live from. The good news? God gives you the freedom to choose life.

Deuteronomy 30:19 (NIV) – “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.”

Are you striving to be good enough for God? Or are you resting in His love and letting transformation happen from the inside out? Choose life today.