Article 9 Original Sin: Original sin does not consist in imitating the sin of Adam (as the Pelagians wrongly teach), but is the fault and corruption of the nature with which all descendants of Adam are born. It is due to original sin that we have departed very far from the original righteousness in which we were created, are naturally inclined to evil, with the result that there is a constant war between the flesh and the spirit. Accordingly in every person born into this world, original sin is deserving of God's wrath and condemnation. This infection of our nature remains even in those who are reborn in and by Christ. Because of original sin the desire of the flesh is not submissive to the Law of God. True though it is that there is no condemnation awaiting those who believe and are baptized, yet the Apostle asserts that all ungodly desires are in themselves sinful (Romans 6:12, 7:7).

The poisonous fruit is everywhere to be seen and felt. The forbidden tree became the mast on which the human race raised the flag of rebellion. Its awful harvest is guilt and condemnation and the penalty of death.

*The Tree of Atonement (Acts 5).

There is the intermission of much history until we arrive at the second tree of our theological trio. There is the long trail of the wickedness, wretchedness, and woes of man. The sad story reveals the divine arborist in intense preparation for the restoration of the human family tree blighted by Adam's fall and Eve's deceit.

After the deluge survived by Noah a merciful God offers an olive leaf as a pledge of coming peace to the man preserved in the ark. "When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf! Then Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth." (Genesis 8:11).

With the long, expectant march of time through the ministries of a succession of prophets there came at last another tree, exceedingly grim in appearance. Only eventually would it be known for its luxuriant foliage, healing oils, and pleasant food. At first sight crimson blood smeared its two outstretched branches and central stem. In due course the instrument of torture and death, by the transformative power of God the gracious gardener, would blossom abundantly and yield the fruit of redemptive love. But in its initial stage it was gruesome, deformed, and cruel.

The tree in mind was the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ where the majestic Son of God voluntarily endured suffering and shame and gave up his life to make amends for our crime and restore and reunite us to God. Under the enmity and edict of the religious leaders of his time a willing Substitute bore the full consequences of our sins in our stead. The Apostle Peter charged and chided the elders of Israel with the enormity of their slaughter of the promised Saviour. He was the One, Peter accused them, "whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree" (v30).

The tree that signified the disobedience and death of man has been, for believers in Jesus, supplanted by the tree of Christ's obedient and atoning death. Expelled from the garden we are now invited and enabled to enter paradise (see the example of the forgiven malefactor, Luke 23:39-43. The penitent thief typifies the approach of all sinners to the Redeemer - confession, repentance, confidence).

The saga of the trees continues and concludes with the promise of:

*The Tree of Life (Revelation 22:1-2).

The cross of Calvary was transformed by the grace of God into a source of blessing and divine kindness. It now administers health. The instrument of death now dispenses life abundant and eternal. It is the emblem of Christ's victory and holy compassion that has won heaven for the hell bound.

The tree of life is at the centre of the promised paradise. It is the sustenance and joy of all who have resorted to it. Its fruit is not bitter like the fruit out first parents foolishly consumed. Its crops are wholesome and perpetually produced "every month". Its season is eternal. Its harvest is ample for all of the people of God forever.

"On each side of the river (of life) stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations" (v2).

Trees are landmarks and they often bear vows of love carved into their trunks as messages of enduring remembrance. Trees are not only reminders of persons and their pledges. They not only call to mind the wonder of creation. They imprint upon our minds our need of God's salvation. When we focus upon a particular tree its fruit may be the benefit of meditation. We may muse upon the disaster of the Fall, the drama of salvation, and our safe deliverance into the kingdom by the Victim of deadly nails driven into hard, dry, unsympathetic, wood.

The One whom we offended bore our offences and became our defence from the curse of the cross we deserved (Galatians 3: 10-14).

The Rev. Roger Salter is an ordained Church of England minister where he had parishes in the dioceses of Bristol and Portsmouth before coming to Birmingham, Alabama to serve as Rector of St. Matthew's Anglican Church