Immanuel
Why is it that people can live as though there is no God?
Even more intriguing is this: Why is it that Christians can live as though there is no God? We still lie, we do not watch our speech, we gossip, we complain about life, we pursue after status, wealth, recognition that has no end to it, we live our life for ourselves.
We believe in God, oh yes, definitely. God is good. He watches over me. He blesses me with good things. He is the Creator. He died for me. God knows me and accepts me for who I am, including my flaws.
We believe that God is out there, looking over us.
Perhaps, we are missing out on one point.
Immanuel. "God with us."
Jesus' name is Immanuel. Jesus who is God incarnate came to be the propitiator for our sins. Jesus, God manifested in the flesh, made God known to the people (John 1:18).
We always think that God is up there, somewhere. Let us now imagine God in human form dwelling among us. Imagine God walking with us, eating with us, talking with us. Imagine Him healing the sick, performing miracles, having compassion for the multitude. Imagine Him right now with you, like a friend, going for lectures with you, having meals with you, how would you have behave? How would you have lead your life? If Jesus was dwelling in our midst, the way we lead our lives will definitely differ from how it is like right now.
But God is still with us. In fact, He is in us. Didn't Jesus promise the Holy Spirit who would dwell in the hearts of believers after He was gone? We might not live in the 1st century and might not have had Jesus with us, but today we have something even more precious! We have God dwelling with us, and in us, through the Holy Spirit which He has given us. God isn't just out there watching over us. He is inside us, hoping to guide us, if we allow Him.
When I think about the Holy Spirit dwelling within me, I can't help but feel unworthy. How can God so holy be inside me, this filthy and sinful flesh! Our body is the temple of God. How can I bear to let God dwell within such a messy place, where lies, gossip, malice and complaints are strewn everywhere? How can a holy God dwell within such a place?
Why is it that Christians can live as though there is no God? We have forgotten about Immanuel. We have forgotten that God is with us. He isn't just out there. He is in us.
Even more intriguing is this: Why is it that Christians can live as though there is no God? We still lie, we do not watch our speech, we gossip, we complain about life, we pursue after status, wealth, recognition that has no end to it, we live our life for ourselves.
We believe in God, oh yes, definitely. God is good. He watches over me. He blesses me with good things. He is the Creator. He died for me. God knows me and accepts me for who I am, including my flaws.
We believe that God is out there, looking over us.
Perhaps, we are missing out on one point.
Immanuel. "God with us."
Jesus' name is Immanuel. Jesus who is God incarnate came to be the propitiator for our sins. Jesus, God manifested in the flesh, made God known to the people (John 1:18).
We always think that God is up there, somewhere. Let us now imagine God in human form dwelling among us. Imagine God walking with us, eating with us, talking with us. Imagine Him healing the sick, performing miracles, having compassion for the multitude. Imagine Him right now with you, like a friend, going for lectures with you, having meals with you, how would you have behave? How would you have lead your life? If Jesus was dwelling in our midst, the way we lead our lives will definitely differ from how it is like right now.
But God is still with us. In fact, He is in us. Didn't Jesus promise the Holy Spirit who would dwell in the hearts of believers after He was gone? We might not live in the 1st century and might not have had Jesus with us, but today we have something even more precious! We have God dwelling with us, and in us, through the Holy Spirit which He has given us. God isn't just out there watching over us. He is inside us, hoping to guide us, if we allow Him.
When I think about the Holy Spirit dwelling within me, I can't help but feel unworthy. How can God so holy be inside me, this filthy and sinful flesh! Our body is the temple of God. How can I bear to let God dwell within such a messy place, where lies, gossip, malice and complaints are strewn everywhere? How can a holy God dwell within such a place?
Why is it that Christians can live as though there is no God? We have forgotten about Immanuel. We have forgotten that God is with us. He isn't just out there. He is in us.
Labels: contemplation, encountering God
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