Laying the
Foundation
In
the beginning man was created by God and in the image of God (having
the Lord’s nature) and after the likeness of God (spirit, Gen
1:26
-27).
Genesis 2:7, “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and
breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”
Man (first Adam, then Eve from Adam)
was made of the dust of the earth which was fashioned into a physical body (known
as the flesh). God breathed an eternal spirit into the flesh (the spirit’s temporary container). Although the spirit is eternal,
the flesh is temporal (due to the fall of
man) and will return to the dust from which it was taken (Gen
3:19
, Job
34:15, Eccl
3:20
). Ecclesiastes 12:7, “Then shall the dust
return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave
it.” The spirit is now confined by the flesh. In the beginning man was created
to worship and serve his Creator, lovingly and obediently. God is sovereign over
His creation. This means God is supreme in power and possesses supreme dominion3.
Man was placed in a beautiful garden, known as
Eden
and given meaningful work to perform (Gen
2:8, 15). God provided for all of man’s needs in the garden (Gen
1:29
, 2:9, 16).
Man was also given dominion over all the earth and the other creatures God had
made (Gen
1:28
). In order for man to freely and lovingly serve God, a choice was provided
within the garden. One is forced to serve in the absence of choices, and God
desires willingness of heart and love. This choice was in terms of the fruit of
two distinct trees (Gen 2:9). To eat
of the one tree was life through submission to the will of God. To eat of
the other tree was to transgress God’s will and choose your own will and this
brought death. Genesis
2:17
, “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and
evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for
in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt
surely die.” This choice determined man’s free will to serve God. The
fruit from the forbidden tree was “pleasant to the eyes”
(desirable to the flesh, Gen 3:6).
There is no doubt that man through the eyes of the flesh was drawn to this tree.
The spirit must always overcome (rise
above) the desires of the flesh in order to walk in obedience to God and
bring God glory. The fruit from the tree of life was most likely plain (did
not stand out) and unappealing to the flesh, but represented a choice for
the spirit (love, devotion and obedience to God) and not the flesh. God does not
deal with man on the basis of the desires of the flesh (does
not serve the flesh). What God was telling man was that the fruit of the
forbidden tree was poison; it was toxic to the very nature and leads to death
– but it looks so good.
Lucifer
(meaning Light Bearer) is a creation
of God from another time and place. He was once an anointed Cherub that walked
in
Eden
the
garden
of
God
, and provided a spiritual covering for God’s
earthly creation (Ez 28:13-14).
Lucifer is a created being (spirit)
who was perfect in all his ways until iniquity was found in him (Ez 28:15). The seed of iniquity was in Lucifer’s heart by reason
of his wisdom and perfect beauty (Ez
28:12, Ez 28:2, 31:8-10). His heart was lifted up because of the brightness
of his beauty and this corrupted his wisdom (Ez
28:17). The iniquity found was self-exaltation resulting in complete
outright rebellion against God. Lucifer’s wisdom was corrupted because he now
sought to live and perform his own will above God’s – “thine heart is
lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God (Ez
28:2, 31:10).” Consider the rebellion: Isaiah
14:13-15, “For thou hast said in thine
heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God:
I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I
will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet
thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.” Can you see the
I, I, and the Me, Me? Can you see how this negates the will of the one true God
of all? Such pride, such arrogance – these are characteristics
that God hates, for they are an abomination to Him (Pv
16:5). Lucifer’s devotion (heart)
was to himself and seeking those things which would bring satisfaction to self.
Lucifer exalted himself and was cast down and greatly humbled (Ez
28:13-17, 31:16). Lucifer has fallen and is now known as Satan, the devil,
the serpent, or the dragon. God has already pronounced a judgment upon him of an
eternal separation into the lake of fire to be carried out at a later time (Rev
20:1-3, 10, Jn
16:11
). For now God uses him for the Lord’s purposes. The rebellion is being
allowed to take its course throughout creation to sift those who will seek God
with all their hearts from those who will seek their self with all their hearts.
The
devil entered the Garden of Eden in the form of a serpent and convinced man (first Eve, then Adam) to transgress God’s will by eating of the
fruit of the forbidden tree. In conversation with the serpent, Eve said: Genesis
3:3-5, “But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God
hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest
ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye
shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then
your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall
be as gods, knowing good and evil.” The devil “lied” and told man that
he could transgress the will of God for reasons of self and not die. The devil
told them that they could come out from under God’s authority or rule and seek
their “own way” and thus “become as gods.” This has been “The
Lie” since the beginning and is now burned (interwoven)
into the very nature of fallen man. All the sin, confusion and rebellion in the
world can be traced back to this lie. Man chose to obey the devil rather than
God and fallen man now has the nature of the devil (the nature of the lie). How dishonoring to God to submit to that
which opposes Him in willful disobedience to God’s Word. In a sense this was
man’s “independence day” in rebelling against his Creator in favor of self
rule. Many celebrate this independence through their actions everyday. This was
man choosing to be his own authority rather than submitting to the authority of
God. Man now seeks after the things which please his flesh – this is man’s
way. Man sought what his flesh perceived as good (not the spirit) and man’s flesh became his god (Pv
8:36
). Since man chose his flesh over obedience to
God, man now serves the flesh (obeys
it’s desires, it’s lusts). Psalm 81:12, “So I gave them up unto their
own hearts’ lust: and they walked in their own counsels.” All sin (iniquity)
is resultant from serving the flesh (rather
than God) which is resultant from the devil’s lie (which
is the devil’s own nature). God said, “thou shalt surely die” and so
it was and now is. All men die physically (Heb
9:27
); those who continue in this rebellion against God die spiritually (the
second death) in that they are separated from God eternally into torment (into
the lake of fire,
Rev 20:12
-15).
Even though the devil convinced man to join his rebellion against God, they are
not united in it. Part of God’s curse upon the serpent was enmity (hatred,
hostility) between the serpent (devil)
and man (Gen
3:15
). God through His love and mercy has provided a
way, “The only Way,” for man to renounce and relinquish his rebellion
against the Lord and come back under His authority. Daniel 9:9, “To the Lord
our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against
him.” This is accomplished only through God’s only begotten Son, Jesus
Christ (Jn
10:25-26, 14:6, Acts
4:12
, 1 Jn 5:11). The
devil has no hope of any such salvation. Therefore, the devil seeks to destroy
man by separating him for his Creator through transgression and death.
Therefore, the devil is an adversary, who, as a roaring lion, walketh about,
seeking whom he may devour (1 Pt 5:8).
God will not allow the devil to force man’s free will, so he has to lure man
through his own lusts (of the flesh)
into seeking his “own way” (which is
his fallen nature) and thus continuing in the rebellion which is resultant
in eternal death (Ps 34:7). James
1:13-15, “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for
God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is
tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust,
and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin:
and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” This
isn’t God’s doing, man chose “his way” in rebelling against God’s will
and authority. Our actions have definite consequences and we reap what we sow (Gal 6:7-8, Job 4:8). Since man has the nature of the devil (Jn
8:44
), it isn’t difficult for the devil to entice
one who is not fully submitted to God (2
Cor
2:11
, Eph
4:27
). 2 Timothy
2:26
, “And that they may recover themselves out of
the snare of the devil, who are taken
captive by him at his will.” As mentioned, God has mercifully (lovingly) provided man “The Way” to come back under His
authority. John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the
way, the truth, and the life: no man
cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Therefore, the devil’s ploy (scheme, strategy) is to keep man seeking his “own way” and from
finding this strait gate/door (Jesus, Jn
10:9), and walking on the “path” or “way” which leads to God.
Walking the path is “following” Jesus (Jn
10:4). This is not a one time confession, but an entire life of
faith. You must walk the path, otherwise you are as the devil and his fallen
angels (demons). James
2:19
, “Thou believest
that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe,
and tremble.” The devils know of God’s reality, they once served the Lord.
The situation is that the devils do not serve God now, because they are in
rebellion. When man mentally agrees or acknowledges God, yet is not walking in
God, then he is no different. The devil will convince many who are seeking their
own way that they are actually serving God – he is very crafty. This is known as deception. To be deceived is to
be convinced you are serving God when in reality you are not. The devil uses
many “religious” things to do this. To truly serve God, we must walk the
Lord’s path. The walk is where God tears down all the things of your flesh and
conforms you to Christ in humbleness, love, obedience, and devotion to God.
Every one that is perfect shall be as his master (Christ,
Lk
6:40
). This is preparation for eternity. God
“leads” in the way of righteousness (Pv
8:20
), and this is life (Pv
12:28
,
21:21
). Righteousness
and obedience keep you in God’s way or path (Pv
10:17
, 13:6). Because man sought his way (path),
he lost access to the tree of life (in
Eden
, Gen
3:22
-24) and this brought death. The fruit of
righteousness is as the tree of life (Pv
11:30
) and this brings life – this is the fruit God desires in you..
Therefore,
from the beginning, God said if you transgress My will and authority (Gen
2:17
), “thou will surely die” and the devil said
(Gen 3:4), “ye shall not surely
die.” These are two completely opposite positions (resultant
ways or paths of life). God states, you will obey Him and the devil says,
you do not have to – one position is in rebellion to the other (as
is the devil to God). Man will live his life in conformance to one or the
other of these statements and the consequences will be eternal. Since the fall
of man (transgressing of God’s will),
there has existed two paths. Throughout the Word of God these paths are known as
either: the narrow and broad ways; light and darkness; faith and unbelief;
God’s way and man’s way; Spirit and the flesh; sheep and the goats; and
wheat and the tares. The two paths are the same, just characterized differently.
The wise should ponder the two paths and consider which they are truly
traveling. It is also very important to note
that many will “religiously” sugar coat or throw a sheep skin over the
devil’s way (lie) in order to
“Christianize” it (Pv 17:15, 24:24, Mt
7:15). This means that they will have a form of religion that professes
Jesus Christ and appears righteous, but allows one to “walk” in his “own
way” supposedly with Christ’s approval or by God’s grace4.
These are false prophets and you must beware (2
Cor
11:13
-15).
This is the deception that the devil is working in you through your lusts. These
men drive the flock away from God (Jer
23:2, 14). He that despiseth God’s ways (commands)
shall die (Pv
19:16
). How can a man understand his own way (Pv
20:24
)? Jeremiah 10:23-24, “O LORD, I know that the
way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in
thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.” Psalm 17:5, “Hold up my goings
in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.” The paragraphs that follow will
briefly consider each of the expressions of the two “ways” or “paths.”
The
narrow and broad paths - Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for
wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many
there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way,
which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Since the strong
nature of fallen man is to seek his own way, most are on the broad path which
leads to destruction. The broad path “glitters” of all that appeals to
one’s flesh (pleasures, entertainments,
comforts, satisfactions). The broad path is the equivalent to the fruit of
the forbidden tree – “it is pleasant to the eyes” (Gen 3:6) – to be desired. Most are drawn to this path and find it
agreeable. Jesus is the strait gate to the narrow path (Jn 10:7-9). Psalms 118:19-20, “Open to me the gates of
righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD: This gate of the
LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.” The narrow path is plain and very unappealing to the flesh. The narrow path
would be equivalent to the fruit of the tree of life – unattractive (ordinary,
plain) and not attractive to the flesh. Those seeking the things of the
flesh will be blinded to the fact that the narrow path is even there. The narrow
path leads to God and only those who come out of the rebellion (nature
of the devil’s lie) and are “born again” through Christ (come under God’s authority and take on the Lord’s nature) will
even see it (Jn 3:3). This path will
cause great difficulty for the flesh. One must override (by faith) the desires of the flesh (in repentance) to even see it (Jn
3:3). Psalm 27:11, “Teach me thy way,
O LORD, and lead me in a plain path,
because of mine enemies.” Those who choose this path must look beyond the
beauty that the flesh seeks and see the great value which will be realized only
through sacrifice, denial and loss in the flesh – it goes against the
reasoning of the flesh. The strait gate to the narrow path is only entered by
total surrender of one’s own will or “way” to Jesus and total obedience to
Christ’s will (commandments, Mk 12:29-31) or “Way.” This does not mean some
mental identification such as some superficial sinner’s prayer type of
confession (Heb 4:2). Say this prayer
and “ye shall surely not die” (Gen
3:4-5). This means a total and complete yielding of one’s entire life as demonstrated
through one’s actions (actions suitable
for the repentance you have confessed, Acts 26:20) – a life of faith. This
is a total change of character that will be noticeably (evidently, distinctly, clearly) manifested in your life. In other
words, not just a religious observance. Few will find this path because this
will be a life long journey of “following” in the steps of another (Christ).
Most are too busy forging their own paths. Jesus “goeth before” and those
who love Him follow (Jn 10:4, Mk
10:32
). This means that this path is set of
another’s doing. Jesus forged the path through absolute submission and
obedience to the Father’s will5. The
Father was well pleased (Mt 3:17, 12:18,
17:5). The path was made at great cost – woe to him that seeks another.
This is the direction one is going (toward
God) when one follows this path and it leads to life eternal; dwelling with
God. This path is very arduous (by divine
design) and will certainly deny the flesh. This path will put the flesh in
its place – in the dust. The flesh is temporal and does not profit (Jn 6:63). One must die to self to even walk upon it1.
One walks as Jesus walked6
and through the ruggedness of the path is conformed to Christ’s image7
along the way. Seeking one’s own way will quickly lead off of this path and
onto the broad path – the fleshly eye is drawn by the glitter. Not
“following” Jesus is “walking away” (opposite)
from Him. Each step is one farther away, culminating in total and eternal
separation. This is by God’s pattern to determine the true intent of one’s
heart. Woe to them who leave the path of uprightness to walk in paths of
darkness (Pv 2:13). Here is wisdom:
Proverb 3:6, “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall
direct thy paths.” Jesus is worthy to follow because He was tried and found to
be sure and true (Is 28:16).
Light
and darkness – Jesus is “the way” and is characterized as being “The
Light8” and there is no darkness in
Him (He did God’s will, didn’t seek
His own way, 1 Jn 1:5). Darkness is the devil’s work, which are all things
resultant from “The Lie” (Eph 2:2).
Light is opposite from darkness as is God’s way from the devil’s. Therefore,
men walking in their way (seeking their
will or flesh) are in darkness. Due to man’s disobedience the whole world
lieth in darkness (1 Jn 5:19).
However, God’s light always overcomes the darkness (Jn
1:5) – when light is present, darkness flees. Proverbs 4:18-20, “But the
path of the just is as the shining light,
that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” However, Proverb 4:19,
“The way of the wicked is as darkness:
they know not at what they stumble.” After man had transgressed God’s will
in Eden, he walked in the darkness of his “own way.” Isaiah 9:2, “The
people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the
land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.” The darkness
they walked in was their “own path” which is in the “shadow of death.”
Your way is just a step from eternal and complete separation from the Lord God
Almighty. The gates of death are opening for
you (Job 38:17). This gate is the
opposite from Jesus who is the strait gate leading to life. Jesus brought hope
that we could come out of “our way” and into “Christ’s path.” Jesus
said: John 12:46, “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth
on me should not abide in darkness.” So those who follow Christ will not abide
in their “own way” which is man’s rebellion against God. John 8:12,
“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he
that followeth me shall not walk in
darkness, but shall have the light of life.” We must follow Jesus on that
narrow path that He forged, otherwise we walk in our “own” darkness (Jude
1:12-13). However, few will travel the narrow path, rather choosing their
“own way,” but why? John 3:19-20, “And this is the condemnation, that
light is come into the world, and men loved
darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one
that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds
should be reproved.” These actually prefer their own path (Pv
15:9). Those who love darkness are not necessarily doing vile things such as
murder and adultery, but rather just seeking their own will daily. However,
seeking your own way does lead to all manner of sin. 1 John 1:6-7, “If we say
that we have fellowship with him, and walk in
darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he
is in the light, we have fellowship one with another (Christ
and you), and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us
from all sin.” These are content to remain in the rebellion under the
authority of the devil via the devil’s lie. Job
24:13, “They are of those that rebel against the light; they know
not the ways thereof, nor
abide in the paths thereof.”
AND Job 12:25, “They grope in the
dark without light, and he maketh
them to stagger like a drunken man.” They behold obscurity (shadows,
muriness); for brightness, but walk
in darkness (Is 59:9).
These may be adamant that they know the way and are walking it, while
professing Christ as they go, but they still walk in their own paths. Only
the Lord is our light (path) and salvation from our own darkness (way, Ps 21:7). Psalm 36:9, “For with thee is the fountain of life:
in thy light shall we see light.” For those who choose their “own way,”
great peril awaits at the end thereof (Rm
2:5-6, 8-9, Eph 4:18-19). Ephesians 5:14, “Wherefore he saith, Awake thou
that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.”
Lastly, a special note to the religious man: Luke 11:35, “Take heed therefore
that the light which is in thee be not darkness.” Slightly restated: Take heed
that the path you are following be not “your own.” Take heed that there be
not great darkness within you (Mt 6:23).
Faith
verses unbelief - Faith is walking by God’s direction. God cannot be
approached in any other way (Heb 11:6).
Romans 1:17, “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to
faith: as it is written, The just shall live by
faith.” Living by faith means applying it to every area of your live (being a doer, Js 1:23-24). Faith does not walk by sight (2
Cor 5:7, Heb 11:1) – but by total trust and reliance on that which is
beyond self (God alone, Gal 2:20, Ps 2:12). Faith bypasses the flesh because it
cannot be understood through human reasoning and emotion (is as foolishness, 1 Cor 1:18, 2:14) or perceived by the five senses
(touch, sight, smell, hearing, taste).
Faith is not exercised by “what is pleasant to the eyes.” Faith often
requires denial and sacrifice to the things of the flesh. The flesh will not
like the notion of forsaking anything - faith denies the flesh its control.
Therefore, to follow the flesh or “your way” is unbelief. Unbelief is
rejection of Christ’s gospel by not actually living it – applying it. Mere
profession of Christ or words are hollow and require no sacrifice (Js 2:19), but actions bring forth sacrifice and fruit and establish
the heart’s intent (Jn 15:2). If the
flesh or unbelief is strong, then faith is weak (and vice versa, Rm 4:20). The things that the flesh seeks (sees)
are temporal and passing; but the things that are known (unfolded,
revealed) through faith are eternal (2
Cor 4:18). Faith will save us and unbelief will surely cause us to perish.
Hebrews 3:19, “So we see that they could not
enter in (to God’s promises) because
of unbelief.” You cannot enter the strait gate (Jesus)
through unbelief (your way, religious or
not). The narrow path is walked by faith. Faith is not religious observance,
but rather trust in God everyday, which goes beyond your abilities. Faith is to
cast away those things in your life that oppose (and shame) God so that you may bring glory to God. Faith is standing
for truth (even if alone) when
everyone else doesn’t. Faith is denying the flesh its desires (pleasures,
entertainments) so that your heart and mind can be stayed upon the Lord.
Through our faith, God divinely influences our hearts (i.e.
grace, Eph 2:8) and this is manifested in our actions to the saving of our
souls. Faith is saying, “Thy will be done” no matter what God directs or
brings. Faith doesn’t question, it does. Faith pleases God. Those seeking
their way or path say, “My will be done.” This is prideful, arrogant and
rebellious to God. Those that walk in their way often ask God (through
prayer) to bless “their way” – they want God to be their servant.
Those that are contentious (headstrong)
and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness (their way, doeth evil) can expect to receive indignation, wrath,
tribulation and anguish from God (Rm 2:8-9).
God’s
way and man’s way - God’s way is only followed by yielding totally to Him
with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength (Luke
10:27). Deuteronomy 10:12-13, “And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God
require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to
love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy
soul, To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command
thee this day for thy good?” - to cleave to Him in obedience (Deut 13:4)! This is how things were prior to man’s fall and this
is how things will be eternally forever more. If you are not living such a life
now, what makes you think you will be in eternity? If you are not obedient now,
does not the Creator of all things know that you will have no such desire later?
Man’s way (seeking self or your own way)
could also be characterized as “seeking after the imaginations of your own
heart9” or “doing what is right in
your own eyes.10” The thoughts of
the wicked are an abomination to the Lord (Pv 15:26). Man has continued to follow his way since being put out
of Eden. Consider the fruit of man’s doings: Genesis 6:5-6, “And GOD saw
that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved
him at his heart.” God was so grieved that He decided to completely
destroy man in a flood (Gen 6:7). Fortunately, Noah found grace in God’s sight and he and
his offspring were preserved. Genesis 6:12-13, “And God looked upon the
earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all
flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.
And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is
filled with violence through them;
and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.” The same can certainly be
said of the time in which we live – things couldn’t be much worse. Man has
almost exclusively followed “his way” since the transgression in Eden. This
has been unacceptable and abominable to God. Man’s way has revealed itself
time and again such as through the tower of Babel (Gen
11:1-9); evil nations like the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites,
Perizzites, Hivites, and the Jebusites (Deut
7:1-8, 9:4); or in wicked cities like Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen
13:13, 18:20, 19:13, 2 Pt 2:6). God has appealed11
to man over and over to turn from “his way” and to submit and obey the Lord.
Isaiah 65:2, “I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious
people, which walketh in a way that was not good; after
their own thoughts.” The Lord also said, “Yea, they
have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their
abominations.” Man continually choses his own way because it is in his very
nature (the lie he accepted to be as gods).
Therefore, man never sees anything wrong in what he does. Proverb
16:25
, “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man
(his way), but the end thereof are the
ways of death.” AND Proverb 21:2, “Every way of a man is right in his own
eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts (intent,
who is seeking God).” When man commits abomination through “his ways,”
he is not ashamed, neither does he blush (Jer
8:12) because he does not delight in God’s Word (seeking
and living in God’s way); for it is a reproach to him (Jer 6:10). Man has historically always sought to place his will or
way above God’s. This has been shown (revealed)
over and over again in God’s Word. This is easily proven by looking at the
world around us. Psalm 128:1, “Blessed
is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways (also Pv 3:6).”
Spirit
and the flesh – Jesus has given the Holy Spirit12
to those who will follow Him. The Spirit leads us down the narrow path and
teaches us along the way. Romans 8:14, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” The flesh
is the nature of man that seeks “self” or it’s “own way.” The Spirit
and the flesh are contrary (opposed)
to one another (Gal 5:17). Obviously
you cannot seek your way and also seek God’s way simultaneously – they are
always opposed. Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them
which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after
the flesh, but after the Spirit.” To
walk after the Spirit is to walk the narrow path, living completely to the will
of God (Mk 3:35) having no confidence
in the flesh (Php 3:3). The narrow
path is contrary to the flesh as is the Spirit. To walk after the flesh is to
walk as you see fit under your own authority – your thoughts, opinions,
sentiments, desires, and imaginations. The Lord searches the hearts and
understands all the imaginations of the thoughts (1
Chr 28:9). The eyes of the
LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth,
to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him (2
Chr 16:9). To profess Jesus, yet not walk as He walked (to
be religious) is to be condemned (while
being blind and deceived, Mt 7:21). If we claim to live in the Spirit, then
we must walk in the Spirit (Gal 5:25).
Romans 8:5, “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.” We will
either travel one path or the other, but not both (simultaneously).
God is not ridiculed concerning those who think they can alternate back and
forth between the paths. Galatians 6:7-8, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked:
for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his
flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall
of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” If you live to the flesh (the
devil’s lie), then God’s original truth stands: “Thou shalt surely
die” (Gen 2:17). The way we do
things will reveal which path we are on (Mt
7:16, 20) – what we mind (give place
to, seek/serve). The fleshly mind (way
of doing things) is enmity (deep
hatred, as between enemies, bitter attitude toward) with God: Romans 8:8,
“So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” If we have
Christ’s Spirit we will walk accordingly, if we do not then we are none of His
(Rm 8:9, 1 Jn 4:10). Romans 8:13,
“For if ye live after the flesh (your
way), ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the
body (die to self or your way, Col 3:5-6), ye shall live.” So we must
travel God’s path and have no confidence in our way (flesh, Php 3:3). Galatians 5:16, “This I say then, Walk in the
Spirit (God’s narrow path), and ye
shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh (man’s
wrongful way). 1 John 2:17, “And the world passeth away, and the lust
thereof (ways of man): but he that
doeth the will of God (God’s way)
abideth for ever.” Here is some wise advice: earnestly seek the Lord through
His Word, Spirit and prayer; then carefully examine your life (ponder)
and have eyes to see the reality of how these things must apply to your specific
actions.
Sheep
and the goats – Sheep are gentle, humble and loving by nature and follow where
they are led. Sheep follow when called! Goats are gruff, assertive, ornery (irritable, crabby, grouchy) and like to go about their own way.
Goats must be driven! Sheep represent those submitted to Christ. Goats represent
those submitted to the devil. John 10:3-4, 7-8, 14, 26-27, “To him the porter
openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and
he calleth his own sheep by name (relationship, Jn
14:21
, 23),
and leadeth them out (Psalm
chap. 23). And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he
goeth before them (Christ came and led
by example, also Mk
10:32
), and the sheep
follow him: for they know his voice (relationship,
obedience, Jn
12:26
). Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily,
verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the
sheep (Christ’s authority). All that
ever came before me are thieves and robbers (anything
we put ahead of Christ robs us of our life in Him): but the sheep did not
hear them (our eyes must be on Jesus).
I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep,
and am known of mine (precious close relationship). But ye believe not, because ye are not
of my sheep, as I said unto you (those who
seek their own path and do not follow, but think they are His sheep). My
sheep hear my voice, and I
know them, and they follow me (this is all
day, everyday). Jesus looks for every lost sheep: Luke 15:4, “What man of
you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety
and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find
it?” The goats are not submitted to the shepherd, just themselves and their
endless lusts – they eat anything – even a big fat lie! Matthew 25:34, 41,
“Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand (sheep),
Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the
foundation of the world. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand (goats),
Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting
fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.” If
serving God seems compulsory, restrictive or like a burden, then you are being
driven like a goat. Those who are driven will be quick to compromise or find a
less restrictive path. Those who are driven will only want to do the minimum
that seems to be required. Those who are driven will always wonder, “what’s
in it for me (Job 21:15, 35:3).”
Those who are driven may do things in secret. Those who are driven find comfort
in numbers. Those who are driven will at best grudgingly follow God. Those who
are driven will seek a multitude of counsels until they hear what they are
looking for (Ps 5:10). Hosea 14:9,
“Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know
them? for the ways of the LORD are right,
and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors
shall fall therein.”
Wheat
and the tares – The wheat grain represents the good seed of the harvest that
one expects to reap from one’s efforts. This is the fruit resulting from the
life of the plant that is fit for use (life
giving). Tares are the weeds that grow up amongst the wheat and their lives
have no redeeming value, and they actually hinder the growth and productivity of
the wheat. Jesus told a parable concerning wheat and tares (Mt
13:24-43). A parable is a simple story dealing with a very real circumstance
(situation, fact, event) in which the
principal subject is described by another subject resembling it in its
properties and circumstances. In this story, a man (representing Jesus) sows wheat into a field (the world). His enemy (representing
the devil) comes and sows tares among his wheat (the devil’s children). The wheat and the tares look alike until
the fruit appears (Mt 13:26). This is
how you know them: by their fruits (Mt
7:20). The fruits are what they produce in their life. Tares soak up the
water and use the nutrients and spread all about seeking their way, but produce
nothing useful, just more of their kind (they
transgress). The man’s servants (angels)
inform him of the situation and request to remove the weeds. He tells them to
let them grow together until the end of the harvest, lest uprooting them, they
should hurt the wheat. Until such time, God sends rain and sun on the good and
the bad, the just and the unjust (Mt 5:45).
At harvest time, the tares are gathered first and put into bundles and burned in
the fire (eternal torment, Rev 20:11-15);
then the wheat is gathered to the barn (dwelling with God, Mt 13:30). Matthew 13:41-43, “The Son of man
shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things
that offend, and them which do iniquity; And
shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of
teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their
Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.”
Pride
A
major component in the rebellion against God is pride. Pride is the exalting of
one’s self. The devil tried to raise his throne above God, and be as the most
High (Is 14:14); and this is arrogance
and pride. The devil’s lie proposed to man, “ye shall be as gods” (Gen 5:5). This is pride (vanity,
elevation, loftiness) and arrogance (conceit,
haughtiness). The devil speaketh to man of his own (Jn 8:44). Pride is conceit or overconfidence of one’s own self and
may be manifested through exalting of one’s accomplishments (achievements)
and abilities. These are wise in their own sight, and prudent in their own eyes
(Is
5:21
). Arrogance is the act of taking much upon
one’s self. It also exalts the worth of one’s “self” to an undue degree.
A high look and proud heart is sin (Pv
21:4). For man to exalt his will, then God’s will must suffer. To walk in
your way rather than God’s way is just such undue self exaltation. You are
conveying that your way is superior, more important and worthy of adherence (devotion, obedience, observance, loyalty, faithfulness). Do you see
how this negates God and relegates Him to unimportance (unworthy)? When man pridefully seeks his own path, then man does not
follow God’s path. God hates pride13!
Proverb
8:13
, “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride,
and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.” Is there
any question as to why God would hate pride? Pride is an affront to the very
“being” of God. Luke 1:51, “He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath
scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.” God resists the proud
and loves the humble (Js 4:6). Luke
1:51-52, “He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud
in the imagination of their hearts (seeking
their way). He hath put down the mighty
from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.”
One does not travel God’s narrow path in pride; only by submission, humbleness
and meekness. To become great in the kingdom of God, you must become least (Mt
18:4). Jesus submitted to the Father and we submit to Christ (1
Cor 11:3, Jn 15:10). One submits to the will of another. What is being
submissive? To submit/yield to the authority of another without objection or
resistance. To be ruled by the decision, will or judgment of another. This
encompasses meekness, obedience, surrender, yielding, and humbleness. In heaven,
the angels are in submission to God’s authority (Mt
6:10, Lk 11:2, Heb 1:5, 2:5, Jude 1:6). He that is least of all, the same
shall be great (Lk 9:48). God desires
such submission in all of us and this is not a dishonor (Eph 5:21). To be anything else is to be prideful (Mt
23:12). To be first you must be last and a servant to all (Mk
9:35). To be greatest/chiefest, you must be servant of all (Mt 23:11, Mk 10:44). This confounds the flesh! To man’s way, this
is foolishness (1 Cor 1:18, 2:14). To
be submissive is to be meek. Meekness is submission to the divine will of God (Ps
22:26, 25:9) and these will inherit the earth (Ps
37:11, Mt 5:5). Man mostly seeks God for blessings, healings or to get
“self” out of difficult situations (which
come about as a result of following your own way). This is turning God into
your servant, and that is haughtiness. This is making God submissive and
obedient to your will – oh how incredibly prideful and arrogant! God does hear
the prayers of the righteous, and answers them when things are in right
order (our submission and humbleness to Him) or according to His purposes (Jn
9:31). When Israel was unfaithful to God, He told Jeremiah to not pray for
them and that He would not hear their prayers (Jer
7:16-19, 14:10-12, Is 1:12-17). Jeremiah 11:14, “Therefore pray
not thou for this people,
neither lift up a cry or prayer
for them: for I will not
hear them in the time that they cry unto
me for their trouble.” Our prayers must always put God first. 1
John 5:14, “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask
any thing according to his will, he heareth
us.” 1 John 3:22, “And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we
keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing
in his sight.” Many cannot understand why their prayers seem to go
unanswered. 1 Peter 3:12, “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous,
and his ears are open unto their prayers:
but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.” Most think of evil in
terms of vile acts, however evil is just disregarding God in your daily life.
When you live for God’s will, He responds to your requests. James 4:3, “Ye
ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your
lusts.” God’s will is not for those with selfish or wicked motives.
Proverb 15:29, “The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the
prayer of the righteous.” When we rise above our will and seek only God’s,
then our prayers will be answered – and things will go well. Consider the
Lord’s return (Day of the Lord):
Isaiah 2:11-12, 17, “The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the
haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in
that day. For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud
and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low.
And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall
be made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.” AND Isaiah
5:15
-16, “And the mean man shall be brought down,
and the mighty man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled:
But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall
be sanctified in righteousness.”
The Message
Having
read the foundation of why things are the way they are, many will now say:
“What does this have to do with America and Independence Day?” Please pray
that God will lift the blindness and give you eyes to see as we proceed in this
message. The foundation had to be laid such that you will be in the proper frame
of mind and understanding for what is written. To preface this writing, we must
all understand that throughout history, nations and peoples have always assumed
that their causes are just and that God is on their side. They have always
assumed divine intent and endorsement of their beliefs, ideals and purposes. To
illustrate the point, an example that most Americans can relate to: Adolf Hitler
and Nazi Germany absolutely believed their cause was just. They not only
believed God was on their side, but had a motto, “Gott Mit Uns” (God with us). Remember that Christ’s name, Emmanuel, means “God
with us” (Mt 1:23). People rarely
follow wickedness unless it is sugar-coated with noble intent – known as
deception. Most men are quite gullible to evil and only wise in their own eyes (Pv
3:7, 12:15, Is 5:21, Jer 4:22). When considering the ideals of America, the
author does not disregard the fact that there are and have been many true
followers of Christ in America that have influenced this country (and
it’s development) in some positive ways. This paper rather examines what
the predominate American culture represents and why it is contrary to God’s
expectations of what we must be. We must
also realize that Christian rhetoric (words,
not actions) can often mask the truth and leave many deluded (fooled, tricked, misled) in blindness and deception. Hasn’t this
always been the devil’s purpose? We must stop listening to rhetoric and start
looking at actions, or fruit (Mt 7:16, 20).
Fruit is the result of actions, and actions are a true indicator of intent.
Jeremiah 17:10, “I the LORD search the heart,
I try the reins, even to give every man according
to his ways, and according to the fruit of
his doings.” Lastly, the author realizes that specific discussions of each
point in this paper could be discussed endlessly with much depth. Therefore, the
points are addressed very generally as to the truth they represent.
America
The
nation of
America
was born out of rebellion! (Rm 13:1-2) – It broke away from the English empire by force of
will. The very foundation of
America
is rebellion. The successful rebellion against
England
exalted the colony to an official nation.
Upon this foundation a country was developed that has exalted itself to
lead all the nations of the earth, and even has a claim upon the moon. Is there
any nation so prideful in all the earth? You needn’t suppose, just ask any
American and they will tell you. All the reasons that one may offer as
justification for this rebellion are based upon the “seeking of self.”
Americans proudly proclaim that they were seeking freedom. Freedom is
simply the less restrained ability for man to seek his “own way” – liberty
to seek “your will.” This is “doing what is right in your own eyes9”
with less restraint. This is “fulfilling your dreams” or the “imaginations
of your own heart10” with less
resistance. In other words, it might be similarly said, that man transgressed
God’s will in
Eden
to seek his “freedom” from God. After all,
God ruled man without self being represented. The word “freedom” makes
rebellion seem more palatable (agreeable,
acceptable, satisfactory, noble). Many will say the freedom obtained was so
that we could worship God without persecution. Where is that granted in God’s
Word14? Doesn’t the one who is
sanctified (set apart) and walking by
faith (in the Spirit) always suffer
persecution from the majority who are opposed to God (in
the flesh, Pv 29:27)? To be accepted by those of the flesh, you must stifle
(suppress, restrain, smother, suffocate,
hold back) the Word of God and its manifestation in your life. This is known
as compromise! This is extinguishing your light and testimony or witness – to
be as salt without taste (no saltiness, Mt
8:17
, Mk
9:50
, Lk
14:34
). This is to die to the things of the Spirit so
the flesh can find comfort. If you do not understand this, then perhaps
compromise has weakened your testimony (witness)
and dimmed your light such that you are ineffective. We must realize that a
“true believer” walks the path of the cross in following His Lord Jesus. To
carry a cross is to be a great reproach for all to see. Did not Jesus suffer the
ridicule (mocking, belittling, criticism)
of others? Are we not to follow in Jesus’ steps? Jesus learned obedience
through His suffering and so will we (Heb
5:8-9). Psalm 34:19, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the
LORD delivereth him out of them all.” Consider Paul’s sufferings (2
Cor
11:23
-28).
What about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (Daniel
Chapter Three)? However, the author will add that freedom is also the
ability to religiously seek your “own way” as men often do (with
façade of belief). Freedom is obtained when one is no longer subject to (coming
out from) the rule and authority that had been in place. Now recall that man
(in the garden of Eden and since)
transgressed the will and authority of his Creator (God) so that he could be his own authority (ye shall be as gods, Gen 3:5) and seek his “own way” – to be
Free of divine restrictions. The devil’s lie in tempting man was that man
could do this and not die (ye shall not
surely die, Gen 3:4). The truth turned out to be quite different. God is
sovereign and true to His Word and man really did (and
does) die as a result of violating the Lord’s command. Man still seeks his
“own path” but dies as a result (all
die physically). The reality of death confirmed the truth of God’s Word (thou shalt surely die) and exposed the lie of the devil (ye
shall not surely die). The truly wise man will now consider the
equivalent (corresponding) truth of
the two established paths through life: willful (voluntary) surrender and obedience to God (faith) verses seeking your own way (unbelief). Since the devil’s lie was just that, then the fruit of
the lie (Pv
12:22
), which is seeking your “own way” is also
incorrect; and living in such a manner will result in eternal death (the
second death). Eating the devil’s fruit leads to death. The fruit of the
forbidden tree may have been pleasant to the eyes, but it was poison. However,
man is now willing to “die” for his freedom, which is his own path (the poison fruit). In
America
we are told that “freedom is not free.” This
is so true. Man’s freedom cost him his relationship with God, a lifetime of
toil (Job 14:1), and then death.
Man’s freedom also cost the death of God’s Son, Jesus – and there is no
greater cost than that. We are told that our freedom in
America
was secured by the blood of our brave soldiers
who were injured and died for us. We are also told that “
America
is home of the free and the brave.” Being
brave is presumed to be standing up for and defending your “own way” of life
or chosen path. This American blood was given so that we could live in freedom
and seek the American way – “to walk in our own ways.” BUT WAIT: God’s
Word says that Jesus died and spilt His blood for us such that through Him we
could walk in “God’s way” – that narrow path. Christ’s blood was shed
such that we could renounce our rebellious freedom and return to God and submit
to the Lord’s authority.
America
parallels what happened in
Eden
and ever since in a stunning manner. Can any of
this be ignored or trivialized away? Go ahead religious man consider all your
thoughts to justify the unpardonable (unjustifiable,
indefensible, inexcusable, reprehensible) – but read on. Wouldn’t we
expect to see the fallen nature of man magnified in a collective group (i.e.
nation) who have their father’s nature (devil,
Jn
8:44
)? The question to be considered is: are you going to be a part of this
beast or rather sanctified (set apart)
through a walk of truth (faith) in
Christ (Jn
17:19
, Acts
26:18, Rm
15:16
)? We cannot walk in “our way” and also walk
in “God’s way“ (Mt
6:24
, Lk
16:13
). Most people think that you can do just that and this is how they live
their lives. The religious man will even tell us that God endorses “our way”
or “path” (Pv
17:15
, 24:24).
Religious men will also tell us that God blesses this nation in it’s
independence and freedom; concepts that undermine submission to authority (1 Thess
5:21
). To live your life as independent and free is
to never grasp the truth and reality (or
walk therein) of surrender, sacrifice, meekness, servitude and obedience.
Oh, you may give a little if the flesh is not denied. This is to walk in a way
that does not line up with God’s nature and expectations. This is a very
negative object lesson for one seeking God. Jesus is our example to follow and
conform to – to be in His likeness and image (
Col
3:10
). Jesus came as a servant that obeyed the Father unto death – totally
living within God’s will. Philippians 2:7-8, “But made himself of no
reputation, and took upon him the form of a
servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as
a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient
unto death, even the death of the cross.” We are to “follow” Christ
– in His steps. Did Jesus ever seek His freedom or independence (recall
the temptations)? Did Jesus ever seek freedom from persecution by the Jews (extremely
religious men, I might add)? Did Jesus want to just quietly worship the
Father in His own way – to follow His own conscious, free of restraint? Did
Jesus counsel the Jews to take up arms and war against
Rome
? The answers to these questions are easily found
in the gospels - they should be read and taken to heart. So, is the author
suggesting
America
come back under the authority of
England
? The answer is no, for those who are missing the
point. Look at the Spiritual equivalent. The author is saying to forsake your
“way” and be reconciled with God through His “Way.” Your “way” is an
ongoing rebellion that will be put down and will not be established as a dual
reality throughout eternity.
America