Choosing Life: Embracing God's Purpose in Our Journey

In today's reflection, we delve into the profound truth of our spiritual journey, beginning with the creation narrative in Genesis. God created man with a distinct purpose, forming us from the earth and breathing His spirit into us, making us living souls. This divine act established a triune nature within us: body, soul, and spirit. Our body connects us to the world, our soul gives us self-awareness, and our spirit enables us to commune with God. This divine order was intended for us to live in harmony with God, fulfilling His purpose.

In the Garden of Eden, God placed two significant trees: the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. These trees symbolize the choices we face: to live in union with God or to rely on our understanding. The Tree of Life represents God's life, while the Tree of Knowledge, though good, is not the best choice as it leads to self-reliance. God granted us free will, allowing us to choose our path. Unfortunately, humanity chose knowledge over life, leading to a separation from God.

Despite this fall, God's love and purpose for us remain unchanged. Before creation, God, in His omniscience, knew the challenges ahead and prepared a plan of redemption through His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross offers us salvation, restoring our relationship with God and empowering us to live out His purpose.

As believers, we are called to live not for ourselves but for God. This life is a spiritual battle between our soul and spirit, as illustrated by the story of Cain and Abel. Cain, though dutiful, lived for himself, while Abel lived for God, offering sacrifices that pleased Him. Our challenge is to choose to live for Christ, allowing His life to mature within us and defeat the enemy's influence.

God's purpose for us extends beyond salvation; He desires us to demonstrate Christ's life on earth, overcoming the enemy through our daily lives. This requires us to live by the Spirit, allowing God's will to guide us. Our mission is to glorify God, living as instruments of His will, and defeating the enemy in our lives.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God created us with a triune nature—body, soul, and spirit—each serving a unique purpose. Our spirit is meant to connect with God, guiding our soul and body to fulfill His will. This divine order is essential for living a life aligned with God's purpose. [09:43]
• 2. The choice between the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge represents our daily decisions to rely on God or ourselves. True wisdom comes from choosing God's life, which empowers us to live beyond mere knowledge. [13:41]
• 3. Despite humanity's fall, God's redemptive plan through Jesus Christ offers us salvation and a restored relationship with Him. This salvation is not just forgiveness but a call to live out God's purpose on earth. [32:18]
• 4. Our spiritual journey involves a battle between the spirit and the soul, as seen in the lives of Cain and Abel. Living for God requires us to prioritize His will over our desires, leading to a life that pleases Him. [44:51]
• 5. God leaves us on earth after salvation to mature in Christ and defeat the enemy through our lives. This mission requires us to live by the Spirit, demonstrating Christ's life and glorifying God in all we do. [39:21]
  ** [39:21]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:13] - Opening Prayer
• [03:08] - Introduction to Watchman Nee's Lessons
• [05:22] - Creation of Man's Triune Nature
• [09:43] - Divine Order and Purpose
• [11:35] - The Two Trees in the Garden
• [15:33] - The Gift of Free Will
• [18:11] - The Fall and Its Consequences
• [22:30] - God's Redemptive Plan
• [27:45] - Humanity's Struggle with Sin
• [32:18] - Salvation Through Christ
• [35:11] - Purpose Beyond Salvation
• [39:21] - Living by the Spirit
• [44:51] - Cain and Abel: A Lesson in Living for God
• [49:32] - Closing Prayer

1. Genesis 2:7 - "Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being."
2. Genesis 2:9 - "The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil."
3. John 3:6 - "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."

1. According to Genesis 2:7, what are the two components that God used to create man, and what significance does this have for our understanding of human nature?
2. In Genesis 2:9, what are the two specific trees mentioned, and what do they symbolize in the context of the sermon? [11:35]
3. How does John 3:6 differentiate between what is born of the flesh and what is born of the Spirit, and how does this relate to our spiritual journey as discussed in the sermon? [32:18]
4. What role does free will play in the choices presented by the two trees in the Garden of Eden, according to the sermon? [15:33]

1. How does the triune nature of man (body, soul, and spirit) reflect God's purpose for humanity, and why is it important for the spirit to lead? [09:43]
2. What does the choice between the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge reveal about human reliance on God versus self-reliance, and how does this choice impact our relationship with God? [13:41]
3. In what ways does the story of Cain and Abel illustrate the spiritual battle between living for oneself and living for God? [44:51]
4. How does the sermon describe the ongoing spiritual battle between the spirit and the soul, and what is the significance of this struggle in the life of a believer? [37:40]

1. Reflect on your daily decisions. Are there areas in your life where you tend to rely more on your own understanding rather than seeking God's guidance? How can you shift towards choosing the "Tree of Life" in those areas? [13:41]
2. Consider the triune nature of your being. How can you ensure that your spirit is leading your soul and body in alignment with God's will? What practical steps can you take this week to strengthen your spiritual connection with God? [09:43]
3. Think about a recent situation where you faced a moral or ethical decision. How did you approach it, and what role did your faith play in your decision-making process? [14:59]
4. In what ways can you demonstrate Christ's life in your daily interactions with others? Identify one specific action you can take this week to glorify God through your behavior. [39:21]
5. Reflect on the story of Cain and Abel. Are there aspects of your life where you might be living more for yourself than for God? How can you realign your priorities to live more fully for Him? [44:51]
6. How do you handle the internal struggle between your spirit and soul? What strategies can you implement to ensure that your spirit, guided by the Holy Spirit, prevails in your daily life? [37:40]
7. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel the enemy's influence. What steps can you take to overcome this influence and live victoriously in Christ? [50:09]