In Genesis 3:8, the Lord God walked in the garden in the cool of the day, to have a communion, a fellowship or a chat with Adam. But guess what Adam did? He hid himself from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?”

 

This is the very important question that we would be considering this morning. Man was created to have an intimate fellowship with God, but after the fall of man, the Bible says in Genesis 3:23, “that man was sent out of the garden” in other words we could say He was sent out of the presence of God, and the relationship became severed  and ever since then God yearns for a man or a woman who would prefer to rather be with Him than to be with the world, man or woman who would do things in Him, move in Him, and have a being in Him — functional relationship; the primary purpose for which man was created. And you can only have a functional relationship if what you do or say is what you have heard from the Lord God. But the problem is; what is the Lord saying? If you can’t hear what He is saying, then then you are out of Him.

 

This was the situation Adam found himself. God was asking him; are you found in Me or you are outside of Me? Okay if you say you are in Me why is it that I can’t find you? Why is it that you are not hearing all I have been saying to you?  The Bible says in Genesis 1:26 “Then God said let us create man in our image” and I want us to just take note of that word “in our image” not like our image.  If you will ever come into the image and likeness of God, you must be “created in”, you must be “in” not outside, and until you are doing everything in Him you won’t be according to His likeness, you won’t look like Him neither will you have dominion. It’s simple and clear! So, the message is simple, how can I be like God? Be found in God. How can I be found in God? Do everything God commands you to do. How do I follow the instructions and commands of God? By hearing Him. And how do I hear Him? Through intimate fellowship.

 

So, fellowshipping with God is the foundation to be found inside of God, it is also the foundation for obedience, uprightness and blamelessness. So, what exactly is fellowship? Fellowship means a friendly association, especially with someone or people who share the same interest. So, what was the meaning of the question God asked Adam? It simply means Adam was not within the perimeters, confines or boundaries in which God would be able to reach him. It also means that Adam was no longer sharing the same thing in common with God. So, God was looking for Him, you are not in Me, because you have refused to obey the instructions, I gave you. Is it also possible that God is asking you the same question? You were created to have a sweet fellowship with Him but He is saying I can’t find you; I have come to have a functional relationship with you but you are hiding, you are far away from Me. Lord is asking you and me today, where are you? Are you in a position where you cannot be reached? God is looking for you to continue that relationship that was broken for a long time now.

 

Are you like the Israelites whom would prefer to hear from their Leader Moses rather than to hear directly from God because they are afraid of the thick black clouds they saw on the mountain? Are you like Adam who heard the sound and could not go close to God? You don’t have to fear anymore. The new dimension of the fellowship God has brought is subtle, quiet and gentle Exodus 33:11 says; “the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend.” This was the desire of God from the beginning that Adam frustrated. Speaking to God as a friend is a reality many believers have not yet experienced. The desire of God is to speak to man face to face, to commune with man on a heart to heart level. So, God must change your heart before He can speak with you.

 

When Jesus was about to depart, after reconciling back the broken relationship, He told His disciples; “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.”  The first thing I want us to understand from this statement is that Jesus had told them a lot of wonderful things, preached to them a lot of great messages, made so many promises to them, but there is still more to come. That was why He said; “I still” indicating that there is so much more to be said and to be heard. And you will neither hear what He still have to say nor talk to Him face to face as a man speaks to his friend because you have no functional relationship with the Spirit He has sent.

 

Jesus was simply saying all the great things you hear now that you think you have heard it all or that you have known everything, there is still a much greater dimension that the Spirit will bring, after He has told you He will  also help you to understand these mysteries, He will guild you into all truths. But you won’t be able to bear these things if you lack a functional fellowship with Him. The second thing I want us to note is the word “you cannot bear them now.” There are truths that I may speak about now that you may find very hard to bear. You may disagree, you may say its blasphemy or say its head knowledge but when you come into a functional relationship with the Holy Spirit, these things will be made plain before your eyes. Scriptural truths are hidden to you because you lack intimacy with Him.

 

Do you know how many things you have missed because you are not paying attention? If you will hear from the Lord God it must be in the place of fellowship and communion with the Holy Spirit. It is a Spirit that has so many truths to tell you, not just telling you but to also show you. Jesus said I still have many things “to tell you” If you do not have ears to listen you can’t hear what He has to tell you. They key secret to maintaining a functional relationship with God is not to be a talk active but to be a listener. What are you listening to? What your heart can neither imagine nor comprehend. The Only thing you have to tell Him is your problems. But one of the many things He has to tell you is solutions. God is calling you today to mend that broken relationship and begin afresh so that all that He still has to tell you will not elude you.

Thanks for the gift of your time, I am Apeh Francis Abah!

Feel free to share your thoughts or testimony in the comment box below. I promise to respond to them as soon as possible!