Fellowship With God

I was sitting in seat 5-E preparing to relax and possibly sleep during the flight to Texas, when I heard the Lord say, “Many of my people have entered hell and many more will follow them; for they have deceived themselves. They have convinced themselves that it does not take all that my Word requires to make it into the Kingdom.” My first response was, “Oh Lord, don’t let me deceive myself.”

The question set before the world today is, “Who is God?” More and more they are leaning towards man being a self-made god to this world. He is the creature that evolved above all others. Therefore, he must be the god of all that exists in this world. Thus, there is no need to seek out or believe in another. I was watching Pastor Mike teach on BTBN. It was such an inspiring message regarding “one with God.” He was rehearsing how impossible it is for humanity to relate to God. He went on to say that in order for man to relate to God, God had to get in a man.

Suddenly, the Lord spoke to me and said, “There is nothing supernatural about me. For you, supernatural means something that manifests itself as extraordinarily great, or that which is beyond scientific understanding of the laws of nature. This meaning is simply a comparison to or enhancement of that which is natural.” I pondered this in my heart and soon I understood the Lord’s intent. We are able to say things like, ‘supernaturally strong, or a supernatural event’. Therefore, in trying to understand or investigate such happenings, we cannot help but start with the natural and then try to explain why or how it goes beyond nature, or that which we deem to be natural. God is not an enhanced natural being. He is not of this world; therefore, He is in no way connected to the natural elements of this earth. He simply created it. Nevertheless, we have carried that same mentality into our relationship with the Lord. Up to now, most of the sons have refused to see themselves through the eyes of the scriptures. Instead, they cling to the vision of the flesh. They can only see the New Creature as an enhanced (more righteous or religious) individual, than the natural man or unbeliever.

After the salvation experience, some of us began to ‘count the cost’ of obeying the different instructions God gave us. This means we stopped to think about how obedience to these instructions would affect us; what discomfort or uncertainty it would bring, or what we would or could possibly lose in the course of our obedience. This way of relating to God and His instructions gave preeminence to our flesh. We could no longer commune with God without the flesh being an all-intrusive issue. No, the flesh did nothing of itself. However, we simply reminded ourselves of how much pain, discomfort or loss we would have to endure if we obeyed God. Not only did this mindset cause us to see ourselves after the flesh (meaning to perceive our identity from our fleshly infirmities); it also built a barrier between God and us.

Each time we stop to consult the flesh; we elevate the humanity of our bodies above the knowledge of God. We give the flesh such preeminence in our lives until even God’s voice is subject to scrutiny. Can you now see just how offensive this must be to God? To filter godliness through the desire and preservation of the flesh is to live as a natural man, who is trying to relate to God - rather than the spiritual being God created. Once again, “humanity cannot relate to God”.The natural man cannot comprehend the things of God. It is impossible for him to have the emotions of Christ. However, such emotions are necessary for perfection. Neither can the natural man discern the ways of God. “My thoughts are higher than your thoughts and my ways are higher than your ways.” Unbelief will not allow fellowship.

It is certain many of the sons of God do not believe in the essence of their salvation. They do not understand its nature, because they have never been taught the truth regarding it. Jesus said,

That which is born of flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

John 3:6

It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing.

John 6:63

This is powerful. The flesh profits nothing. It is merely the temple in which you live. It is dead to sin and wantonness. It was made alive by the power of the Holy Ghost and is designated a vehicle to be used of the Lord.

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

Romans 8:5

There is no way to fellowship with God when you regard things pertaining to the flesh. Jesus instructed us to take no thought for the flesh, what we shall eat, drink or wear.

For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Romans 8:6

This is where the element of trust must be put on display. You must trust that which is spoken of by God. The Word is His testimony to us and of us. To walk in the mind of the Spirit is to experience the life of Christ and the comfort of peace provided by the Holy Ghost.

If you are fearful and afraid of life’s consequences, then you are carnally minded, because Jesus has already overcome any consequences to the flesh. He has overcome the world.

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

John 16:33

You must believe in the Word of the Lord. He promises peace in the midst of suffering, trials and tribulation. Trust Him, for He cannot lie.

7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. 9 Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Romans 8:7-9

You must believe that you are a spiritual being who is not of this world. You must be willing to accept the mind of the Spirit as your own. You are the mystery hid in God. You are the son of the only true and living God. This world is not your home. You are only here to fulfill the desire of the Father. The body you live in is necessary only as a fulfilling of the law of kinsmanship. Otherwise, it would be unlawful for you to procure the souls of those who are lost. If only you could see the blessed state of being one with God. Hear the voice of God as it echoes through the scriptures.

John 4:23-24

23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Philippians 3:3

For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Why does the disposition of the flesh become an issue when we are instructed in those things that prove our heavenly origin? We have already established that in many instances, we are fearful and afraid of the affect the outcome of such obedience would have on the flesh. Yes, this is true. However, the fearfulness is prevalent because we are void of fellowshipping with God. His testimony is that He is the God of all consolation. He is a Comforter in the midst of suffering. This fact was proven in the life of Christ and those members of the early church who were willing to suffer the cruelty of evil trials and even death, rather than deny the life of Christ that dwelt within them. Take this word at face value. If you will achieve any fellowship with the Father, it must be through the righteousness of the Spirit. Please do not deny yourself of these great promises.