The Deep: Part IV

Now you may be thinking, living in the deep with God sure that sounds great, but how do I get there? One of the answers comes from James 4:7-10. In this scripture, there are eight commands concerning our spiritual posture that need to be understood and lived out in order for us to be in the proper place and the proper frame of mind where we can receive from God at a deep level and nurture the intimacy He desires. These commands are not a rigid formula based on performance. They are a practical revelation of spiritual principles meant to equip and complete us.

(Verses reflect original meaning from the Greek)

The first part of verse seven says:

1) be subordinate to and obey God
- subordinate means dependent upon. We must daily be dependent on God to sustain us; remember our natural man cannot survive at unnatural depths. It also means to make secondary; we need to daily lay ourselves before the Father, putting the things of God before everything else.
- obey God: scripture tells us that to obey is better than sacrifice. Have we replaced daily obedience with a sacrifice of our own making? In the Old Testament there was something called an unauthorized fire. That’s a fire or sacrifice God did not ask for nor require. What might be considered an “unauthorized fire” in my life? Do these sacrifices bring me closer to God or further away? Why might this be?

Father-God, for too long I have placed myself above Your will. I depend on You for my very survival.

Check out: Isaiah 40:26-31