Before we throw out some symptoms of Tree of Life living, let me make sure to mention that even when you’re living in the Tree of Life, its pretty easy to slip back into Tree of Knowledge thinking (and living). I would never want to make it sound like its just a simple snap of the finger – just decide and you’re there! No way, it creeps back up inside of me a lot. I lived in that Tree of Knowledge way too long. Here are some symptoms of The Tree of Life…
 
Innocence – your mind and heart are clear. You think the best about people. Jesus called it childlikeness. Its one of the greatest joys of parenting – watching our kids approach everything in such a simple, innocent way.
 
Freedom – when you’re free, you can relax and enjoy life. You love God. You can be yourself. You are free and comfortable being you
 
Grace – one of the most powerful symptoms of Tree of Life living is grace. Experiencing the grace of God. Living in God’s grace. Check out this cool verse – Colossians 1:6 – “this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth.” In essence, our spiritual growth and progress happens when we understand God’s grace.  
 
I recently read a study that listed the top reasons people stop going to church. There are easily 100-150 million people in the United States who are out of church – they went to church at some point in their life, but they stopped going. The #2 reason on the list – “I don’t go to church because people in church are unaccepting, mean and critical.” What are they saying? There was no evidence of grace in church!
 
Thank God we’re changing that – as we get this revelation, we’re filled with life and grace. Then our churches are filled with people who are life-giving and full of grace. That’s how we’re going to reach our families, our communities, and our world.