Guide to Life

The animal character Pogo that Walt Kelly created is best remembered for his quote in the poster Kelly designed to help promote environmental awareness and publicize the first annual observance of Earth Day, held on April 22, 1970:

“WE HAVE MET THE ENEMY AND HE IS US.”

This quote referred to pollution as our enemy, but the quote fits scripture as well. Satan, of course, is our enemy. He comes but to steal, kill, and destroy. He goes about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. However, he is a defeated foe. All power and authority belongs to Jesus, both in heaven and in earth. His victory on the cross dethroned Satan and put Satan under his feet. Jesus has given us power over Satan and all the forces of darkness in His name. In Luke 10:19, Jesus says "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you." For those who understand the power we have been given to take authority over the demonic realm and cast demons out of our affairs in the mighty name of Jesus, Satan is not the real problem. There is a much more subtle and insidious enemy which must be overcome in our lives if we are to truly walk in the freedom and liberty Jesus purchased for us on the cross.

In Luke 9:23, Jesus said "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." In this scripture, Jesus identifies the true enemy. Let him deny himself, or rather, let him deny SELF. From the word self we see the many manifestations of self: selfishness, self-centeredness, self dependence, self righteousness, etc. All these oppose the Spirit of God. Even self control, which man values, is rebellious. To exercise self control you must lean to your understanding, which exercises the carnal mind. You exercise self control in your own strength, not from dependence upon God. "Truly I say unto you, Except you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3) As a little child is dependent upon his parents, so must we be dependent upon God in all things and for all things. "For without me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)

Self is carnally minded, walks after the flesh, loves the world, and is sinful. Self "opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God." (2 Thessalonians 2:4) We are the temple of God. When we are born again, our spirit becomes the abode of the Godhead. Our soul, however, is unchanged. The temple of God is confined to our spirit, until self is sufficiently diminished to the point where Jesus can occupy the throne of our heart. The heart is the combination of our soul and spirit. There is a war that goes on in our soul until we are brought to the place of self being overcome in us. This is Galatians 2:20: "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." Self must be crucified with Christ. Our soul must be swept clean of all that opposes our Lord in order for us to be of a pure heart. "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." (Matthew 5:8)

Self is an individual's sense of who they are—their identity, characteristics, experiences, and awareness of themselves as a unique person. Self is basically the subconscious mind which is an entity that controls our belief system. It is like a program that compiles all the data of your life and controls how you think and respond in every situation without you being aware that it is doing so. It is a stronghold to which you are in bondage until you are delivered. Although the subconscious mind can be changed through new experiences or changes in belief that are heartfelt, self will never produce good fruit for it relates to the natural world and does not comprehend the wisdom of God. Self is an entrance for Satan to convince you of all manner of things through suggestion, which if you come into agreement that his lie is the truth, you will adopt his lie or lies into your belief system. "A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit." (Matthew 7:18) Self is a corrupt tree and only the Spirit of the Lord can transform a corrupt tree into a good tree. "And be not conformed to this world: but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:2)

This transformation is accomplished by the grace of God. "For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8) Much of the church uses this scripture as evidence that you receive eternal salvation when you are born again. The truth is that you receive salvation (or rejection by the Lord) at the Judgement Seat of Christ. "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he has done, whether it be good or bad." (2 Corinthians 5:10) This truth will be made plain as we continue this discussion.

The true definition of grace is found in the Strong's concordance, which reveals the meaning of the original Greek. This definition is consistent for every use of the word grace in the New Testament. It says "the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life". This perfectly decribes how the Spirit of God influences our soul to bring forth change. If God's influence is received and embraced, it brings change in one's thinking and brings forth righteous fruit. If God's influence is rejected, it brings forth a quenching of the Spirit. If this pattern continues it will eventually lead to a hardening of the heart towards God. "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold." (Matthew 24:12) The good news is that there is always a chance for repentance before one appears before Christ at the Judgement Seat. "And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again." (Romans 11:23)

I perceive that self is fine with the new birth in the beginning. The entrance into the kingdom of light is new, exciting and pleasant. But when demands begin to be placed by the Spirit to become a living sacrifice, war erupts. Self goes into self protection mode. According to the carnal mind, suffering is to be avoided and affliction escaped. The carnal mind is offended by rejection and persecution. So self tries to protect us from these things. With self sitting on the throne of the heart, the ways of the Lord make no sense. As a result, many give up before they are barely started and continue to walk after the flesh; walking the broad way that leads to destruction. "But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul." (Hebrews 10:19)

"Enter you in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it." (Matthew 7:13-14) Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. The way is found by being born again. The way must be followed by the leading of the Holy Spirit if one is to continue on the way that leads to life. Few find this way because they bow the knee to the influence of self, which Satan exploits, instead of bowing the knee to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

"Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6) The way, the truth, and the life is one of many patterns of three in the word of God that convey levels of maturity along the way that leads to life. This pattern is consistent with Revelation 12:11): "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." Death here speaks of death to self. Another pattern of three is found in I John 2:13, "I write unto you, fathers, because you have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because you have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because you have known the Father."

We all begin the way that leads to life as little children. When we are brought into the kingdom of God we have no concept of the spiritual realm. We must be trained, taught, and brought to understanding by the Holy Spirit who leads and guides us into all the truth. Since we are selfish and carnally minded we do not understand the ways of the Lord. We are as sheep going astray, always seeking greener pastures, solutions to our problems by our own understanding instead of seeking wisdom from above, and trying to escape the very circumstances God has ordained for our good. But God patiently, faithfully, and lovingly continues to work in us to break us, humble us, and transform us by the renewing of our minds. The renewing of the mind chips away at self and progressively diminishes self's worldly and carnal influence as well as Satan's. This is a long process of the Refiner's fire which causes self to decrease and Christ's likeness to increase in us.

In Psalm 23, David says " He restores my soul: he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake." God's plan is to restore our souls, to reclaim that which was lost in the Garden of Eden through the disobedience of the first Adam. We were born under curses pronounced as man was cast out of the Garden. But from the beginning, God had made the way for us to be restored to the vessel we were created to be: the image of God. The last Adam, the "Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (Revelation 13:8), delivered us from bondage to the curse and purchased our freedom and liberty by His blood shed on the Cross. But we must follow His ways in order to inherit the promises.

Paths of righteousness - plural. As little children, we make all kinds of mistakes, make all kinds of wrong decisions, and do that which is right in our own eyes. Our vain imagination leads us to many dead ends, and God lovingly brings us back onto the way of righteousness. In the beginning we walk all kinds of directions because we are self dependent. But in the process, God is bringing us to depend upon Him. If we are wise, we begin to understand that our ways will never work. Only His ways will work together for our good. For whatever reason, many never mature out of this stage. But as long as their heart remains faithful to God, seeks to obey Him, and seeks to follow Him, they will remain on the way that leads to life and will be part of the Bride of Christ. Remember, there are different levels of maturity on the way that leads to life, and therefore many levels of maturity of those that are part of the Bride of Christ. All of the Bride consists of those who are obedient and do not faint along the way that leads to life.

The way that leads to life consists of many paths of righteousness in the beginning. But as we mature, the way straightens and narrows. As a "young man", the vessel puts away childish things. "When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things." (I Corinthians 13:11) In this level of maturity, the vessel embraces Jesus as Lord. The throne of his heart is now occupied by Jesus and self is made subordinate. Self still seeks to influence and be relevant, but the voice of self becomes quieter. The vessel has heard the knock at the door of his soul and has answered. "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:20)

This is "Christ in you, the hope of glory". "To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." The vessel is now more intimate with the Lord, trusts the Lord with all his heart, and seeks to know the Lord by denying self, taking up his cross daily, and following the Lord. He puts no confidence in the flesh, but trusts the Lord with all his heart. He is no longer ignorant of the enemy's devices, but walks in power and authority over all the power of the enemy in the name of Jesus. Sin no longer has dominion for he desires to be obedient to the Lord in all things. He now knows that apart from the Lord he can do nothing, and is absolutely dependent upon the Lord, no longer self dependent.

In Psalm 23, David says " Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me." The way that leads to life now becomes the valley of the shadow of death. The valley is straight and narrow and has only two directions: forward or back. The wise continue this journey as the Lord leads and is with them, bringing them to victory over every encounter. It is a place of the shadow of death, as the Lord brings the vessel to further die to self. As Paul said in I Corinthians 15:31 "“I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.” It is necessary that we surrender all to the Lord in order to serve Him and know Him, and daily we must choose to lay down our self life in order to gain the life of Christ.

In this valley of the shadow of death the vessel comes to know the Lord as the Truth. He knows the written word of God and the living Word of God. When he has been fully prepared, he is brought out of the valley to a secret place to lay hold on Life. "He that dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." (Psalm 91:1) Very few come to this place of intimacy with the Lord. The vessel has been brought out of the valley of the shadow of death to now abide under the shadow of the Almighty, the shadow of Life. "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death." The vessel has not yet entered into eternal life for there is much more preparation that needs to take place. He now abides under the shadow of the Almighty as he dwells in this secret place of separation unto the Lord.

This is the place where fathers come forth to be as their heavenly Father. It is the place of perfecting. "Be you therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." (Matthew 5:48) The only ones perfect are the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. For us to be perfect we must be perfected. The only way to be perfected is to be brought to the end of ourselves and be transformed into the image of God. This is exactly what God has made a way for us to attain.

Revelation chapter 4 reveals our heart, the throneroom of God. Around the throne are four beasts. "And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. This is another pattern of threes mentioned before. The children are represented here as the calf, the man represents the young men, and the flying eagle represents the fathers. We will discuss the lion a bit later, but now let's see how the flying eagle fits our discussion.

The secret place is where the vessel waits on the Lord. "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Waiting involves being still and listening. "Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth." (Psalms 46:10) To be still, the vessel must remove all distractions, all noise, and be in solitude. He must quiet the mind and take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. This is most difficult at first, for that which remains of self will cry out in protest and Satan will try to bring all the distraction he can. But as the vessel waits, his strength is renewed as God imparts strength, patience, and the ability to calm the mind and hear His voice. Most of the prayer time is spent listening to receive that which God is imparting and be transformed and brought to the end of self. In this process, the vessel will "mount up with wings as eagles". This means he will become a flying eagle. A flying eagle differs from the calf and man for he is no longer earthbound, and becomes a conduit between heaven and earth, that it may be in earth as it is in heaven.

"For even hereunto were you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow his steps." (I Peter 2:21) Jesus arose early each day to be alone with God. It was there He received guidance and direction from the Father by the Holy Spirit. "Then answered Jesus and said unto them, truly, truly, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father do: for what things soever he does, these also do the Son likewise." (John 5:19) It is in this place of intimacy with God that the vessel becomes an overcomer. He is led by the Spirit and no longer fulfills the lust of the flesh. He is made a manifest son of God for whom the whole earth groans and travails. Self is crucified with Christ as well as everything else that opposes Christ; the world,the flesh, the carnal mind, and sin, The vessel receives the mind of Christ and is clothed with a robe of righteousness. Yet there remains another step.

At the appointed time, or could be simultaneously, I am not sure, the vessel is led through the strait gate. This small gate is entered at the end of the way that leads to life, not at the beginning. It is the gate to eternal life. It is small, so that only that which is of the Spirit may pass, but flesh cannot. Jesus will lead the vessel through the gate as He appears to the vessel. "Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knows us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." (I John 3:1-2)

"Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left. Two women shall be grinding together; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, there will the eagles be gathered together." Jesus appears to the vessel, the new man is taken forth and the old nature left as a carcase. In this separation, a flying eagle is manifest.

Jesus will appear before the vessel that is ready. He will manifest Himself to him. "He that has my commandments, and keeps them, he it is that loves me: and he that loves me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." (John 14:21) The two men, the two women, mentioned above, are the same person - with two natures. The new nature with the mind of Christ and clothed with a robe of righteousness is brought through the strait gate, behind the veil of the Holy of Holies (the spiritual tabernacle of Moses) and is presented to the Father as one with Jesus - the image of God. He enters into rest and ceases from his works." “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20) "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” (I Corinthians 13:10)

The vessel is now a vessel of honor fit for the Master's use. Through this vessel Jesus walks, works, and speaks, for the vessel has ceased from his works. People may see the outward appearance of the vessel, but they encounter the presence and glory of the Lord. The vessel is one with the Lord, His image. He is like the Lord in every way for it is the Lord that fills him. He has become the Lion which is the first beast before the throne mentioned earlier. He has laid hold on eternal life. "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation." The requirement for death is paid as the vessel has died to self, overcome the world, and is judged as a righteous vessel, evidenced by being clothed with a robe of righteousness. "Truly I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, until they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom." (Matthew 16:28)

The way that leads to life is filled with suffering, affliction, adversity, persecution, and rejection. Therefore, I feel led to conclude this writing with a word of encouragement for all who read this post. We must always be mindful of the goodness of God. Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He takes care of His sheep. He guides, protects, heals, and provides for all our needs, He purchased us with His blood shed on the Cross. He paid the penalty for our sins so we can be free. He bore our sickness and disease, He bore our chastisement so that we can have peace that passes understanding. He took back the keys of death and hell from Satan so that all power and authority is His both in heaven and in earth. He then gave us power over all the power of the enemy in His name. Do not be deceived into thinking that He did all this so He could punish you. He works all things together for our good. He came that we might have life and that more abundant.

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11) I always use the King James version of the Bible, but I have made an exception in this case. I much prefer the NIV version of this scripture to reveal God's intentions towards you. He wants what is best for you. He knows what is best for you. He knows how to bring forth what is best for you. He simply asks you to trust Him.

"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." (Hebrews 11:6) God is mindful of you in all that you do and all that you endure. He is with you in every trial and every battle and even fights your battles for you. He is deeply concerned for your well being. He may seem distant most of the time, but actually He is with you wherever you go. He is closer than your own breath, which by the way He gives you as well. In addition to all the wonderful things he does on our behalf, we need to realize that He is working on our behalf. He is not sitting idly by observing you. Jesus intercedes for you. Your heavenly Father works to produce righteous fruit in you. The Holy Spirit comforts you and leads and guides you into all the truth. If all that weren't enough, He blesses you exceedingly, abundantly beyond all you can ask or think. He rewards you for being faithful to trust Him, depend upon Him, seek to know Him, fellowship with Him through prayer, and follow Him.

"But as it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither has entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love him." (I Corinthians 2:9) The potential God has for us is staggering, beyond our vain imagination. God will teach you and train you to walk in His ways if you will but listen and receive. If you will walk in obedience to His commands, you will see miracles in your life. He will raise you up and show you great and mighty things which you know not. All that is required of you is to choose to trust, choose to obey, and choose to stand. And having done all to stand, stand therefore. You don't have to do these things perfectly. God does not expect you to be perfect, just trust Him to perfect you.

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you: when you walk through the fire, you shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon ypu." (Isaiah 43:2) The Lord doesn't say "if" you pass through the waters or the fire, for you surely will on this journey that leads to life. But He promises you will not be destroyed. He will give you victory in every circumstance. "Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivers him out of them all." (Psalms 34:19)

"There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it." (I Corinthians 10:13) God does not put more on you than you can handle. It may often seem that way, but God's purpose in these times is to stretch you to create greater capacity to endure, transform you by the renewing of your rmind, and bring you to overcome all adversity. Remember that His strength is made perfect in your weakness.

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." We are as we think. We are a product of our choices. Choose to stay mindful of the Lord.

"Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities; who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from destruction; who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfies your mouth with good things; so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. The Lord executes righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He has not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pities his children, so the Lord pities them that fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them." (Psalms 103:2-18)

SELAH