God created us for fellowship, no matter what we do or how busy we get, our inner man is not satisfied unless we are in right relationship with Him. God doesn't reward us for what work we do for Him, we are rewarded for simply being with Him, for our righteous deeds are as filthy rags apart from Him. God has gives us free will, it is our choice to be with Him or not to be.
Enoch is the ultimate example apart from Christ of someone who chose to be in continual fellowship with God. Let's look at the few passages of scripture that describe the life of Enoch.
Genesis 5:22 Enoch walked [in habitual fellowship] with God after the birth of Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. 23 So all the days of Enoch were 365 years. 24 And Enoch walked [in habitual fellowship] with God; and he was not, for God took him [home with Him]. [Heb. 11:5.]
We have all experienced close relationships, where commitment is made but not followed. We have had loved ones walk out, leaving us broken. With enough broken relationships, hardness of heart develops, where we are afraid of commitment because we don't want to experience pain again. Many of us will only go so far with someone and if things get too close we distance ourselves. As long as this is true, our relationship with God will be the same, "in and out, up and down, no consistency!" We may say we love God but we don't live it.
Enoch walked in habitual fellowship with God, meaning continual, consistent, committed. It was more than a one night stand, or a fling. God is about habitation not just visitation. He doesn't just want to stop by now and then, He wants to move in, to dwell in our hearts. Enoch became so close to God, so filled with Him, that who he once was became hidden, and who God is became seen. It went beyond God dwelling with Enoch to Enoch dwelling with God for he was taken up.
Being should always precede doing. For when we walk with God, He will lead us, and He will do great things. Yes, this brings us to a place of humility, for we cannot take credit for anything. The earlier we discover the reality that apart from God nothing else matters, the less of a pretender we have to be.
When I wanted something from someone I would say whatever was necessary and pretend to mean it. In Jude 1:1-13 we are cautioned to beware of the danger of false teachers. Those who use the name of God appearing to be righteous but only care about themselves, deceiving people for their money. They are gifted, talented, smart but have no godly character.
We have all experienced close relationships, where commitment is made but not followed. We have had loved ones walk out, leaving us broken. With enough broken relationships, hardness of heart develops, where we are afraid of commitment because we don't want to experience pain again. Many of us will only go so far with someone and if things get too close we distance ourselves. As long as this is true, our relationship with God will be the same, "in and out, up and down, no consistency!" We may say we love God but we don't live it.
Enoch walked in habitual fellowship with God, meaning continual, consistent, committed. It was more than a one night stand, or a fling. God is about habitation not just visitation. He doesn't just want to stop by now and then, He wants to move in, to dwell in our hearts. Enoch became so close to God, so filled with Him, that who he once was became hidden, and who God is became seen. It went beyond God dwelling with Enoch to Enoch dwelling with God for he was taken up.
Being should always precede doing. For when we walk with God, He will lead us, and He will do great things. Yes, this brings us to a place of humility, for we cannot take credit for anything. The earlier we discover the reality that apart from God nothing else matters, the less of a pretender we have to be.
When I wanted something from someone I would say whatever was necessary and pretend to mean it. In Jude 1:1-13 we are cautioned to beware of the danger of false teachers. Those who use the name of God appearing to be righteous but only care about themselves, deceiving people for their money. They are gifted, talented, smart but have no godly character.
Jude 1:14Enoch, who lived in the seventh generation after Adam, prophesied about these people. He said, “Listen! The Lord is coming with countless thousands of his holy ones 15to execute judgment on the people of the world. He will convict every person of all the ungodly things they have done and for all the insults that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”
The bible says God desires that we would all prophesy. To grow in prophesy simply takes growing in relationship with Him. God sees and knows all. As we grow in God we grow in our ability to see and hear spiritually. We pick up things we cannot perceive with our natural eye or ear. So as our relationship with God deepens we should expect the gift of prophecy to develop as well!
Enoch is prophesying of a multitude of people set apart bringing conviction to the world because of God's holy presence upon them. We have historical testimonies of individuals but never a multitude. To see this prophecy fulfilled we must choose to follow in the footsteps of Enoch.
Hebrews 11:5 Because of faith Enoch was caught up and transferred to heaven, so that he did not have a glimpse of death; and he was not found, because God had translated him. For even before he was taken to heaven, he received testimony [still on record] that he had pleased and been satisfactory to God. [Gen. 5:21-24.] 6 But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out].
Let' choose now to increase our faith by earnestly (seriously) and diligently (persevering) seeking to know God in a more personal way.
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