In GOD's Presence - Part Eight

Every characteristic of Eden that our minds can grasp is for us - perpetual peace, divine health, no lack, absolute abundance, complete fulfillment - it's all available to us as kingdom citizens IN GOD's PRESENCE.

Recently, as I conversed with an older cousin of mine, whom I also learned is a long-time student of the teachings of my favorite author, Dr. Myles Munroe, I was brought back to this series "In GOD's Presence". (Oddly enough, every time I think it's over, GOD plants another seed in my spirit that quickly germinates into fresh insight.) Our conversation somehow meandered to Eden, and she mentioned something that Dr. Munroe said on a cd that immediately caught my attention: Eden is not so much a physical place, but more so a spot, a moment, an atmosphere. So you can imagine how my mind quickly raced back to the statement that launched this whole series: "The presence of God is the established ideal ATMOSPHERE in which mankind was designed to function."

We can agree that Eden was the beginning of GOD's kingdom influence in the earth realm. It is the spot in the earth realm whereunto GOD established the atmosphere of His kingdom. This seed was planted in the hope that Adam and Eve would be fruitful and multiply that atmospheric seed through strategic initiatives of GOD-inspired colonial expansion. When GOD gave man dominion over the earth and its resources, it was incumbent upon man to start in the spot GOD created and enlarge the territory with the expectation of the kingdom eventually subduing the entire planet. After all, GOD made available to man everything he necessary to carry out such a program of continued domination.

Now this atmosphere of GOD's presence is just as relevant today as it was in the earliest days of creation. We were created to daily live in this GOD environment. Every characteristic of Eden that our minds can grasp is for us - perpetual peace, divine health, no lack, absolute abundance, complete fulfillment - it's all available to us as kingdom citizens IN GOD's PRESENCE. Why do you think man hasn't been able to pinpoint the exact physical location of Eden? It's an atmosphere (which is spiritual by the way) that mankind must harness by faith and put to work in order to yield, in the physical realm, the GOD kind of results that can ultimately be perceived by the human senses.

Yes, Eden does symbolize completion and perfection, but it's a completion and perfection that man can not achieve of himself. It's as simple as starting in "the moment" (when you received salvation by grace through faith) and allowing the Word of GOD to transform you by the renewing of your mind. Transformation is necessary because we need to be reprogrammed to both hear and understand the kingdom way of doing things. Therefore, it is this transformation that brings man's soul (which is his mind, will and emotions) into compliance with his spirit man. (As a brief aside, a major problem with the body of Christ is the disproportionately low number of transformed believers among the born again. But that's another blog for another time.) Before we can even begin to have our bodies (our actions) line up with the Word, our souls (our thoughts and attitudes) must be in submission to our spirits, which are governed by GOD the Holy Ghost. As you can see, we were created to live from the inside out, much like how GOD designed His kingdom influence in earth to start in Eden (His presence) and visibly branch outward throughout the world.

There's a popular song out now penned by Donald Lawrence entitled "Back To Eden", which admonishes believers to get back to Eden and live on top of the world. While I truly enjoy this song, it ever so slightly falls short of expressing that Eden is, in fact, GOD's presence. You see the power is not just in the principle of Eden, but the atmosphere of Eden. When we make up our minds to live in GOD's presence, the established ideal atmosphere for mankind, we begin the process of living on top of the world. You haven't lived until you've lived in GOD's presence. No, it's not easy; but yes, it's very much worth the effort. For the Word says, "In His presence there is fulness of joy and at His right hand pleasures forever more." In Matthew 6:33 it says, "Seek ye first the kingdom of GOD (His way of doing things) and His righteousness (being in right standing with Him) and all these things [after which the Gentiles seek] shall be added unto you." Basically, we can't afford not to live in GOD's presence.

Take a few moments to ponder on how much your life reflects Eden. Could your life stand to be more fruitful? Are you really progressing in your own personal transformation? Or are you honestly stuck in a rut and possibly in denial about it? How much of your life are you truly dominating? Are you living on top of the world? Or is the world living on top of you? I pray that through this blog the eyes of your understanding have been further opened to the need for a life in GOD's presence. Until next time, be blessed beyond measure.