The Transforming Power of God’s Presence
As Christians, we often talk about the importance of knowing God’s presence in our lives. But what does it really mean to experience God’s presence, and how can it transform the way we live out our faith?
Atonement and Salvation
To understand the significance of God’s presence, we must start with the atonement. Christ’s substitutionary death on the cross was not just a historical event; it was an act of divine presence that reopened access to God for humanity. As Matthew 20:28 and Mark 10:45 remind us, Christ came into this world to give his life as a ransom for many. This sacrifice demands an understanding of God’s presence, as it is inextricably tied to the divine being present with and for humanity.
The Church as the Temple of God
The New Testament teaches us that the church is the temple of God (1 Cor. 3:16-17; 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1; Eph. 2:13-22). As Paul writes, the church is where God dwells. This means that the community of believers plays a crucial role in representing and perpetuating God’s presence in a lost and sinful world. By recognizing the church as the reflection of God’s presence, we can change our understanding of her role in the world and in our lives.
Eschatology and the Presence of God
Neglecting the presence of God can also impair our thinking about eschatology. While debates about the interpretation of Daniel, Revelation, and other end-time prophetic passages are important, they often lose sight of the eschatological nature of God’s purposes. The presence of God theme helps us see that eschatology is not just the last chapter in our systematic theology textbooks or the last few chapters of our Bibles. Instead, it pervades the whole message of Scripture, reinforcing our assurance in things hoped for and our conviction of things unseen (Heb. 11:1).
The End from the Beginning
The presence of God theme also helps us see that God had Revelation 21-22 in mind before breathing out Genesis 1:1. The beginning is rooted in the end, and vice versa. This means that all of the promises and purposes of God that fall between these bookends of redemptive history express his perfect will. For God, there is no “Plan B.” There are no “audibles.” God’s story works out the end from the beginning, and we are the beneficiaries because we are a part of God’s story – we are the ones who will stand eternally in the joy of God’s presence (Rev. 21:1-4).
Transformed by God’s Presence
In conclusion, experiencing God’s presence can transform the way we live out our faith. It can change our understanding of salvation, the church, and eschatology. By recognizing the importance of God’s presence, we can deepen our faith and our conviction in things hoped for. As we stand in the joy of God’s presence, we are reminded that we are part of God’s story – a story that works out the end from the beginning.
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