The Way to The Tree of Life
So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life. (Gen 3:24).
Do you ever wonder why some folks in church, touch God and others don't? Why some struggle to get with the program and others just go for it!
I enjoy a faith filled meeting. Sometimes however, I question my own expectations, for they are never realistic. I believe every teacher and preacher should live in constant revival. Its possible! Yes that's possible. Every-meeting should be a revival meeting. We carry revival to the meeting.
But what happens when folks there are not where you are at? I'm not talking of being better than anyone, the ground at the cross is equal. I'm talking of preparation to worship. There are certain things that must be in place before we can experience God. Like, an expectant faith, a receptive heart and a willing mind.We should gather purposefully and collectively assign ourselves to the discovery of God. I'm in pursuit of God while simultaneously in his presence.
I'm reading in Genesis about the cherubims that guard the way into paradise.
So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life. (GENESIS 3:24).
Adam and eve were cut off for this way, and cast outside the garden of God's presence and ever since the cherubims have been guarding the way to the tree of life.
Fellowship is more than being in church, its more than having a similar interest its more than having friends who attend the same church. True fellowship is with those who share the same passion and conviction arising from obedience to the same law
1. The way to the tree of life is guarded
Life that's what we have to find in this world and as a church we realize that this way is guarded form the many. the way to the tree of life is guarded and protect by angelic beings with flaming swords. They don't allow anyone just to come on though. No one can just walk into God's presence without confronting these angels. They guard the way to the tree of life
What do they guard but a box and in that box there is the law of God which speaks to me of the commandments of the Lord.
"and there I will meet with you! and speak to you from above the mercy seat (Ex 25:32) where? at the assigned place, the place that is guarded form strangers and robbers. Its a guarded place Just as the cherubims guard this place so to the way into the presence of God is guarded, not all will enter into it only those whose hear if right before God.
2. The place of mercy must be sought for.
The mercy seat. it means the place of atonement. Its the place where sin is cancelled and we are cleansed. Have you found it. In our corporate gathering we have to find this place first. We must find it! I must get to the mercy of God before I can be released into joy and fellowship with him and indeed others. Mercy. God let me find mercy today at your altar. Mercy is the way to the tree of life. there is no life outside of the discovery of the mercy of God, without God's mercy I have misery contempt pride these things will keep me from the presence of God.
See some folks come to be entertained but without first finding mercy there is no access into God's presence no matter how good the music! theatrics or dynamics
3. Two walk together if they touch and agree
Corporate worship is as much How I worship but Who I worship with. In today's culture of "come as you are" Christianity, I'm not convinced that the righteous can worship with the unrighteous. That may sound a bit self righteous but think of this, No flesh can glory in God's presence! God demands that we come according to protocol, his protocol. The tabernacle and its furniture reveal the protocol. no priest can just show up in Gods presence. there has to be preparation separation, holiness and mercy.
Too may churches lack the altar of repentance and fire (Altar). Which tells me "God is not there!"
Too many churches lack baptism in the name (the laver) which tells me "God is not there!"
Too many churches lack the the holy Ghost (the lampstand) which tells me "God is not there!"
Unbelievers don't worship God then cannot worship God, they have unbelief in their heart and bring that spirit with them. The church is not for unbelievers but for believers. While accommodating the unsaved we must know that the saved alone can worship God! Those that have not the Holy Ghost cannot worship God. God is spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).
If any "two" agree on anyone thing.. it shall be done for them (Matt 18:19). Thats the power of his presence if two agree its done.
The uniqueness of the cherubims above the mercy seat is that there are two of them and secondly that they as two touch and agree. There are two cherubs this speaks of fellowship they are a metaphor of friendship and fellowship communion. The common union or basis of fellowship is not that we share a common belief but rather that we walk in the uncommon way.Friendship is often misdefined in today's world. friendship is more than a facebook like.
True fellowship is intimacy matched with expectancy. True friendship is companionship mixed with loyalty to match. True friendship is where we share the same values and traditions, mission and expectations. True friendship is where we die for the same truth and live the same life, the life of Christ! isn't this what Jesus said ye are my brothers if ye keep my commandments!
Now do you get that? The cherubims protected the law and that's where we find the truth. We as true friend cover yes value, cherish, protect and live for this law, the law of God. If we believe the same law we can worship with the same intensity the same God.
Just as the Cherubims looked into the ark of the covenant and guarded its truth of the law. it lets me know that those who I'm connected to are those who believe it like me. The one Lord one faith God of the written covenant. "Hear O Israel the Lord our God, the Lord is one." Now that's enough to let me know we can sit at the same mercy seat and together seek his forgiveness and heart and If you believe this we can have fellowship.
The bottom this, we share the way to the tree of life together!
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