When we look at the religious world at large, many people are confused about religion and Christianity in general. Nevertheless, when we seek counsel from the inspired, revealed will of God, we actually see the desire of our Creator to have fellowship with the crown of His creation—this is the design of God for true religion.
Beginning with the first created man, God desired fellowship with him (Gen. 1:28-31; 2:9, 18). Everything God did for Adam was for having his best interest at heart. Thus, God and man were in perfect fellowship together. Yet, we see that wonderful fellowship broken in Genesis 3:8 with the entrance of sin. Since sin had broken this bond of fellowship, God cast humanity out of the Garden of Eden and away from the tree of life (Gen. 3:22-24). The presence of sin has affected the wonderful fellowship that once existed. Nevertheless, because of the grace of God and His desire to fellowship man, He made a way for man to have a limited amount of fellowship with Him—divinely prescribed worship, beginning with Genesis 4 and the sacrifice of Abel.
Later, we again see this design of God to fellowship His beloved with the construction of a tabernacle, and later, with the temple. As God was leading His children out of Egypt and towards the Promised Land, He gave instructions for the assembly of a tabernacle to Moses. The entire design and purpose of such was for the people of God to approach His presence in fellowship through priesthood and sacrifices: “Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle” (Exod. 40:34).
Just as we see God fellowshipping with Moses throughout the wilderness journey, we see God fellowshipping with Joshua, his successor: “…as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee…for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Josh. 1:5, 9).
Hundreds of years later, we see God fulfilling His ultimate plan of redemption by coming down to earth in the form of a man (Phil. 2:5-7; John 1:14). Jesus came to become a sin offering for us, but through such, made it possible for man to have that wonderful fellowship with God: “…they shall call his name Immanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us” (Matt. 1:23). This is fellowship!
Before Jesus departed, He left us His desire for God to have fellowship with His creation:
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. (John 14:1-4)
Therefore, the way to have fellowship with God is through Jesus (John 14:6) and through our obedience to Him (Heb. 5:8-9).