So Near Grows Death to Life

In John Milton’s Paradise Lost, Adam states to Eve, in reference to the Tree of Knowledge and the Tree of Life, “So near grows death to life…” What an ominous reminder to us by the first of sinners, that the wheat grows with the tares; both the wise and foolish virgins retrieve water from the same well; both the prodigal and the obedient sons come from the same womb and household; the wolf comes in sheep’s clothing; the lion prowls stealthily—waiting for one to devour; a fool thinks himself wise in his own mind; weeds and thorns—as well as crops—often grow in the same soil; the fat and healthy cows graze in the same field as the scrawny and cannibalistic cows; there will be those who do great things in God’s name who are not saved; the hot water often is mixed with the cold and results in luke-warmness; and Satan himself poses as an angel of light. What a thin line there is that stands between evil and good, death and life, God’s side and not! Let us therefore always remember that the goal is not to walk the line, but to stay clearly on God’s side of the line.

--Kingdom Advancer
written: May 29th, 2006
© Copyright 2006, Kingdom Advancing