College Notes of David Reagan as taught in Scripture Baptist College. These notes cover the doctrine of the Bible.
As Christian’s we really don’t enjoy the idea of chastisement. If I were to ask someone if they want to be more like Christ, it is an easy yes. However, if I were to tell you that one of the ways to become more like Him is through chastisement, all of the sudden it doesn’t sound so good. Perhaps we aren’t as good of Christians as we think ourselves to be.
This verse deals with building and battling (“keep the city”). These two actions describe much of our life and they certainly describe the Christian life.
The Christian life is pictured in the Bible as a race to run; a course to finish. The Apostle Paul was determined to finish his course with joy and the ministry which he had received of the Lord (Acts 20:24). Shortly before his death, he could give this testimony: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2Timothy 4:7). Notice, he had finished his course.
The tree is mentioned three times in the Garden of Eden, but it is lost because of the fall of man. However, it is mentioned three times in the New Jerusalem as restored to its rightful place in the midst of paradise. Follow the tree of life through the scriptures and see that Jesus Christ truly did come to seek and to save that which was lost.
