Flesh Cannot Enter In

God is very clear that our earthly, fleshly life cannot partake in His kingdom of peace, love, and joy. It is not capable of it nor does God want us to enter into our allotment—our promised land— in our present fleshly human condition. What can we really do anyway? ALL things are in God’s hands. Does God condemn us for what we truly are unable to do?

There is so much deception when we reflect on our life experiences and accomplishments. Hindsight reveals even more clearly that we were led, doors were opened to us, opportunities to be blessed in our calling, even our adversity was balanced by the loving hand of the Father. This is a promise of freedom and rest, not a condemnation for failure. Romans makes it very clear that we are unable, we cannot please God by any fleshly activities, including fleshly religious activities not led by the Lord.

“Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you.

And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.” Romans 8:7-9 NIV

That’s good news! Here lies a secret to entering in to His rest, to stop our fleshly efforts to please God. Which part of us are we living and drawing from—the natural man who is capable of good and of evil or the spirit of God within us that creates in us a new man, born of the spirit, rebirthed by God by writing His words and establishing His ways within us?

When we realize it is truly impossible for our flesh to get cleaned up enough to be spiritual, we turn to the One who makes all things possible, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Does the spirit of God live in you? As a believer, our answer should be a resounding “yes”! Jesus states emphatically that the kingdom of God is within us, not out there somewhere in the sky or on this earth. We must have the spirit within to lead, guide, and change us into the incorruptible realm of the spirit, able to live with God forever and know we are God’s project:

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 ESV

There is a difference between giving up our struggles with the flesh in defeat or despair and truly surrendering to God. Giving up bring resignation, even resentment and despair, as this process continually fails. We end up wondering how to do the impossible, to be obedient to what the scriptures tell us to do, while not trusting the Father will do it. If we could beat our flesh into submission, we would, because our heart so desires to please the Lord.

There may be times when we think we are doing well, pleasing God and living the holy life promised to us, only to have this fade as adversity and trials reveal what is still there. Somehow we need to be brought to the place where we realize and accept that the flesh cannot please God and never will. We stop trying to do what only He can do. We accept that He made it this way, so all the glory is His and it is good news!

We lay down the heavy burden to trying to please God in the flesh, knowing it is impossible in us. All things are possible with God, however, and the way is up, into the realm of the spirit. When surrender of our own will to God is complete, there is no more struggle. Many of us have lived years in the frustration of trying to be good enough, to make our flesh die in order to please God.

When I received the word to “die to my flesh,” I really tried! It’s like I had a big mallet that repeatedly beat on my flesh to get it to submit and do right according to God’s principles. Godly change was the “big carrot” that God promised but kept being held in front of me, never to be reached. No matter how hard and fast I raced after it, it was always, always out of reach. And as I knew more and more of His will and ways, this mountain of true obedience from the heart to obtain righteousness got higher and more unattainable.

We truly want to be obedient, to please our Lord, but find ourselves unable to do so. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is not only weak, it is incapable. If it were not so, there would be no reason for Jesus Christ to do what He had to do for us. So, we remain stuck in Romans 7:

“We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” Romans 7:14-15 NIV

How difficult it is to rest and trust in Him rather than trying to do it ourselves. As we mature in Christ, we learn to know this truth deep within, but often still try to do rather than be. It is the way of human nature, even though well-meaning. That is why “being good” is not exclusive to Christians. There are many who truly do good, who are not evil, just natural human beings. But to be in Christ, to overcome with His nature within, that is the rare gold that God is working in us.

God set it up this way and such is the promise only He can fulfill within us. He can and does what we cannot and do not do.

“For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.” Romans 8:20-21 NIV

Knowing this, however, we still have need of patience—to endure waiting while He is doing this work within us. We turn and turn and turn again to our Father God, through Jesus Christ our Savior, looking to Him who is the author and finisher of this great work in humanity. There are many trials, many struggles we go through on our way to truly living in Him. One of the biggest remaining is the battle of time. We know He is able, we do trust that He will take us through to victory, but when?

“For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise…” Hebrews 10:36 KJV

The promise is sure, but endurance is needed to receive it. We must sustain faith in what God says rather than judging our own or others’ progress. The psalmist says the afflictions of the righteous are many, but He delivers them out of them all:

“This wretched man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.” Psalms 34:6 NASB

Now why would we, the righteous, have so very many afflictions? Is this not in contrast to those who promise an externally good life for walking in God? Afflictions do not come because God does not love us or else He is a complete liar in His word. So, how far do we want to go? Are we willing to be crucified with Him, so that we are enabled, elevated in the spirit to to reign with Him, sharing in His victory over flesh?

Many things are free through the grace of God, including our salvation, but rewards are earned and cost us deeply. They cost us our flesh as we learn to surrender to what He wants when He wants it, often in sharp contrast to our own desires and what we see as our earthly needs. Look around the world and you will see deep and costly suffering everywhere. Some suffer in silence while the suffering of others is broadcast to everyone.

For some, only the Lord knows, while others cry out for mercy and justice that only God is able to bring. How God delivers us from all of our distress also differs from the way we would have it. Do we consider it a deliverance when our loved one dies rather than is healed? When the answer to our prayers of desperation seem to fall on deaf ears? When the answer is “wait”or “no” rather than “yes” and “amen”?

This, my dear friends, is the struggle of an overcoming Christian, one becoming more and more desirous to be truly like our Lord, looking to God alone to make the necessary changes to enter in. It becomes the truth of our lives as we walk on to know Him as Paul states:

“But whatever things were gain to me, these things I have counted as loss because of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them mere rubbish,

so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,

that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; if somehow I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Not that I have already grasped it all or have already become perfect, but I press on if I may also take hold of that for which I was even taken hold of by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:7-12 NASB

Who can say they have attained? Who is not sharing this same struggle with the rest of us? These are the concerns of our hearts if we truly want to know Him, yet many shrink from the suffering part. They want or even believe that only the blessings are what He is to grant us, blaming the devil for every bad, evil thing that happens to us. And surely the enemy of our souls is most active when we are suffering! Oh, the words he whispers in our minds, the attacks on our faith and trust in God through our mind, will, and emotions!

Sometimes we think we are suffering so much, we cannot take any more, yet God, in His infinite love and purpose for us, allows more. At those times, I find myself saying to Him, “Really God? Really? Do I need all this happening to me, when I love you so much and am trying so hard to follow You?” And He answers, “Yes, my child, you do if you want to be like Me.” Oh. Well, in that case, what can I do but endure unto the end?

It is too late to turn back, to say no more, to stop part way up the mountain of my flesh. And for many of us, there is nothing to go back to. There’s only God. Would we come this far, only to turn back to the old fleshly ways He has delivered us from? One of the truths of life is that we learn so much more from the pain we suffer than the blessings He gives along the way. We most cherish His blessing and comfort during these times of suffering. Is this not what He does?

And as Jesus Christ overcame, He already made the way for us to do so, too. There is always someone, somewhere—and often many people—who are suffering much more than we are. As we shed earthly desires for things and experiences that formerly were important, He continually refines the desires of our hearts so that what we want is what He wants. We begin to see the value of His kingdom of love, peace, and joy within rather than the happiness or momentary escape from troubles, along with fading love that always brings loss.

Do you, along with me, wish you were easier to convince, to change? It gets very old walking around the same mountain of our flesh rather than climbing higher in Him. Even with surrender of our will to His will, there remains challenges to our flesh in yielding patiently to His work within us. Flesh must be burned up by His fiery presence within while ee, like our Lord, walk it out. Earlier in Philippians, Paul talks about this:

“And this I pray, that your love may overflow still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may discover the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and blameless for the day of Christ;

having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, for the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:9-11 NASB

Salvation is free, but righteousness is costly. It cost Jesus Christ His life, with unimaginable pain of the death that was set before Him. We are to take up our cross daily to walk with Him, each of us facing suffering and affliction that only He chooses. When we have asked to be like Him, we suffer many unfair situations and experiences to enter into His kingdom, to reign with Him. This is not some heavenly throne we imagine showing up in the future. This is reigning with Him over our flesh, conquering it through the spirit, just as He did, through Father God within.

Overcoming is not a popular message and some try to bypass it altogether, one way or another. But consider all the scripture about overcoming, particularly in the book of Revelation, surely a word for such a time as this. The Lord made many promises to His own in this symbolic book, each with requirements to receive this reward “to those who overcome.” The Revelation is the unveiling of Jesus Christ, to be seen in His purified people through overcoming, to conquer all:

The Ephesians are to repent, particularly of embracing the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which places the priesthood over the people. The Nicolaitans put leadership in between the people and God, replacing God’s direct relationship and spiritual communication within believers. That’s why they are told to return to their first Love.

“Yet you have this [to your credit], that you hate the works and corrupt teachings of the Nicolaitans [that mislead and delude the people], which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches.

To him who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], I will grant [the privilege] to eat [the fruit] from the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.” Revelation 2:6-7 Amplified

The believers in Smyrna, martyrs who died for their faith, are told that they will not suffer from “the second death”, that death to the flesh we’re addressing here:

“Fear nothing that you are about to suffer. Be aware that the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested [in your faith], and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful to the point of death [if you must die for your faith], and I will give you the crown [consisting] of life.

He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God] will not be hurt by the second death (the lake of fire).” Revelation 2:10-11 Amplified

The body of Christ at Pergamum is told that the Lord is not pleased with the teachings of Balaam, including prophecy for hire, and also putting leadership, rather than God, over the people:

"He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches.

To him who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], to him I will give [the privilege of eating] some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone with a new name engraved on the stone which no one knows except the one who receives it.’” Revelation 2:17 Amplified

Those in the church in Thyatira are chastised for tolerating false teachings from the “harlot system of Babylon,” prioritizing religious organizations above their Lord. God predicts “death to her children”—that is, no life to those who are birthed in these dead systems. He reminds them that He searches hearts and minds, so He knows what is within them. But to those who have not embraced the doctrine and teachings of satan, He has a different message: .

“But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not explored and known the depths of Satan, as they call them—I place no other burden on you, except to hold tightly to what you have until I come.

And he who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God] and he who keeps My deeds [doing things that please Me] until the [very] end, to him I will give authority and power over the nations;

and he shall shepherd and rule them with a rod of iron, as the earthen pots are broken in pieces, as I also have received authority [and power to rule them] from My Father; and I will give him the Morning Star. He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches.’” Revelation 2:20-29 Amplified

To the saints in Sardis, the Lord bluntly states that their reputation for spiritual life is false. They are to wake up spiritually and repent so as not to be surprised when He returns in His saints. Yet there are those who have “not polluted their garments”:

“These are the words of Him who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: ‘I know your deeds; you have a name (reputation) that you are alive, but [in reality] you are dead.

Wake up, and strengthen and reaffirm what remains [of your faithful commitment to Me], which is about to die; for I have not found [any of] your deeds completed in the sight of My God or meeting His requirements.

So remember and take to heart the lessons you have received and heard. Keep and obey them, and repent [change your sinful way of thinking, and demonstrate your repentance with new behavior that proves a conscious decision to turn away from sin]. So then, if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you.

But you [still] have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes [that is, contaminated their character and personal integrity with sin]; and they will walk with Me [dressed] in white, because they are worthy (righteous).

He who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God] will accordingly be dressed in white clothing; and I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, and I will confess and openly acknowledge his name before My Father and before His angels [saying that he is one of Mine]. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches."' Revelation 3:2-6 Amplified

The church at Philadelphia, has “a little power” through brotherly love. They are the only group of believers who are not told to repent like the others. They have an “open door” to enter in to His Kingdom of Life, and are commended for enduring patiently:

“And to the angel (divine messenger) of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of the Holy One, the True One, He who has the key [to the house] of David, He who opens and no one will [be able to] shut, and He who shuts and no one opens:

‘I know your deeds. See, I have set before you an open door which no one is able to shut, for you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not renounced or denied My name. Take note, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—I will make them come and bow down at your feet and make them know [without any doubt] that I have loved you.

Because you have kept the word of My endurance [My command to persevere], I will keep you [safe] from the hour of trial, that hour which is about to come on the whole [inhabited] world, to test those who live on the earth.

I am coming quickly. Hold tight what you have, so that no one will take your crown [by leading you to renounce the faith]. He who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God; he will most certainly never be put out of it, and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which descends out of heaven from My God, and My [own] new name.

He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelation 3:7-13 Amplified

The Laodicean church is strongly chastised for their ambivalent faith, “neither hot nor cold.” Believing they are rich, already having it all, they have stopped growing. God is not happy with this and is no longer allowing them to speak for Him. They are so far from Him so that He is knocking to get back in to the center of their hearts. Discipline is coming for such as these:

“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold (invigorating, refreshing) nor hot (healing, therapeutic); I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm (spiritually useless), and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth [rejecting you with disgust].

Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have prospered and grown wealthy, and have need of nothing,’ and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked [without hope and in great need], I counsel you to buy from Me gold that has been heated red hot and refined by fire so that you may become truly rich; and white clothes [representing righteousness] to clothe yourself so that the shame of your nakedness will not be seen; and healing salve to put on your eyes so that you may see.

Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I rebuke and discipline [showing them their faults and instructing them]; so be enthusiastic and repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior—seek God’s will].

Behold, I stand at the door [of the church] and continually knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him (restore him), and he with Me.

He who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], I will grant to him [the privilege] to sit beside Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down beside My Father on His throne.

He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches.’” Revelation 3:15-22 Amplified

Here it is most astoundingly clear: Those He loves, He chastens and disciplines, like any good father does to His beloved sons and daughters. We are to expect it as part of overcoming the flesh. God Himself exposes us to ourselves, so that we repent. How much higher are His thoughts than ours, how difficult to understand His ways! Oh, the unfathomable riches of His wisdom and power!

The promise of great reward are given to the overcomers, those who conquer as He has conquered. Just what did Jesus Christ conquer but His flesh, His own human will and ways? Is this not what He struggled mightily with in the Garden of Gethsemane? And He knew we would need the Holy Spirit, His coming again within us, to overcome, to conquer all things as He did.

Consider this passage from John:

“Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.’

Jesus replied, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.’ ‘How can someone be born when they are old?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!’

Jesus answered, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’

The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.’” John 3:1-8 NIV

No, flesh cannot do it—never could and never will. Oh, to work this deep within our hearts so that we may endure to the end, knowing He is with us through it all. We must be born again, not in a one time yielding to Him through confessing belief—not if you want to be like Him, desiring to overcome all, to rule and reign with Him in His kingdom. Oh, no, when we are given much, much is required of us.

We say “Yes, Lord” long before we know what we are committing our hearts and our will to become, to experience as we follow on to know Him.

The old hymn, “Are Ye Able?” says it well:

“Are ye able," said the Master,"To be crucified with me?" "Yea," the sturdy dreamers answered,”To the death we follow Thee."

“Lord, we are able. Our spirits are Thine. Remold them, make us, like Thee, divine. Thy guiding radiance above us shall be a beacon to God, to love and loyalty.”

“Are ye able to remember, when a thief lifts up his eyes, that his pardoned soul is worthy of a place in paradise?

“Lord, we are able. Our spirits are Thine. Remold them, make us, like Thee, divine. Thy guiding radiance above us shall be a beacon to God, to love, and loyalty.”

“Are ye able when the shadows close around you with the sod, to believe that spirit triumphs, to commend your soul to God? “

“Lord, we are able. Our spirits are Thine. Remold them, make us, like Thee, divine. Thy guiding radiance above us shall be a beacon to God, to love, and loyalty.”

"Are ye able?" Still the Master whispers down eternity, and heroic spirits answer, now, as then, in Galilee.”

“Lord, we are able. Our spirits are Thine. Remold them, make us like Thee, divine. Thy guiding radiance above us shall be a beacon to God, to love, and loyalty.”

Earl Marlott (1926)