Genesis 2:16-17 New International Version (NIV)
16 And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil,for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”
Why would God place a tree in the middle of this beautiful garden and then forbid Adam to eat from it? God wants us to obey. He wanted Adam to obey. When we obey God’s Word, we benefit. When we disobey, we go through detriment. God gave Adam the choice and freedom to choose. We have freedom to choose. Without choice, love is hollow and the obedience is hollow. Obedience is an act of love and respect for God. No one wants to force someone to love them. We want it to be a choice that is given freely and lovingly. God wants a loving relationship with his people. Living with the consequences of choices teaches us to think and choose carefully. God wants a growing relationship with each of us. He wants to walk through this life a learning with us.