A Truth to Believe

What does it mean that God is invisible and present everywhere?

God is Spirit (John 4:24). This means he is not a physical being limited by space, time, matter, or creation. Instead, he exists beyond the physical universe (Rom 1:20). As an invisible and immaterial being (1 Tim. 1:17), God cannot be contained in temples or depicted through images (Acts 17:24–25). Yet, God has at times revealed himself in visible ways throughout redemptive history (Gen. 22:11–15). 

Most wonderfully, God has made himself known in Jesus Christ. The eternal Son took on human flesh and dwelt among us as Immanuel, "God with us" (Matt. 1:23; John 1:14). In Christ, the immaterial God is perfectly revealed. Thus, Jesus “is the image of the invisible God” (Col 1:15) and “the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature” (Heb 1:3).

 Because God is Spirit, he is present everywhere—this is known as his omnipresence. There is nowhere that is outside his presence or beyond his authority. While he is separate from creation, he constantly sustains and governs it through His power. Additionally, he is actively engaged in the created world.

 For believers, it is deeply comforting to know that God is always near. He is never distant, absent, or unaware. God fills heaven and earth (Jer. 23:24), dwells among his people, and has promised, "I am with you always" (Matt. 28:20). No matter what challenges you face, you are never truly alone. At the same time, God's presence is a sober reminder that nothing is hidden from him. Every thought, word, desire, and action is fully known to the God who observes everything perfectly and judges with perfect justice.

Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. (Psalm 139:7–10)

Something about Living

Paul writes in Ephesians 5:7–17, Therefore do not become partners with [the sons of disobedience]; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Paul calls us as God’s children to give thought and intention to how we live our lives. As the years stack up, the more I see how essential and important what we all would call "fundamentals" really are. Things like:

• spending daily time in God's word: reading it, studying it, listening to it, singing it, and memorizing it;

• devoting oneself to prayer;

• prioritizing time with your family and a few close friends;

• being an engaged part of a local church;

• taking care of our bodies: drinking lots of water, eating plants, exercising, and sleeping consistently;

• using your gifts and working hard in the way God has called you to glorify him in this world;

• seeing income as a tool: living below your means, avoiding debt, and investing the extra in God's kingdom and the future.

Sometimes we make things overly complicated and need to return to the basics once again.

A Quote

“Our greatest fear should not be of failure, but of succeeding at things in life that don’t really matter.”

Francis Chan

A Resource

One of the most sobering and yet encouraging books I have ever read is John Bunyan's The Straight Gate.

In it, Bunyan calls on his readers to examine their faith by dispelling common assurances people cite as sources of hope for salvation. He then emphasizes that it is only in and through faith in Jesus Christ that we have assurance of salvation.