"Am I a God at hand, declares the LORD, and not a God far away?" {Jeremiah 23:23}
The verses out of Acts that I shared with you last week, and the verse from today out of Jeremiah challenge a mindset that many people carry. They challenge the idea that God is far away from us. Since the fall of Adam & Eve in the Garden, man has carried the idea that God cannot be near us because we have been exposed, naked, sinful, etc. Whatever our excuse, we have considered that God is the one who has a problem with us rather than understanding that our "separation" from God comes from a faulty way of thinking.
- God has revealed Himself as the One who has not problem being in our presence even after we fail (see Genesis account)
- Jesus displayed the goodness of God by touching the lepers, embracing the downcast of society, loving those who were caught in sin, and being in the presence of sinners (read the Gospels)
Does this sound like a God who is far away?
In fact, Paul's preaching in Athens has been challenging me for weeks on this very subject. He understands God as the Creator of all mankind. He sees in God's creation a need to seek God, to look for Him, and to find Him. But He also understands God as One who is not far away because it is in Him that we live, move, and have our being. Quoting the poets of the day, Paul goes on to say that "we are His offspring."
I don't know if there isn't a more challenging statement to the mentality of the church today than that one phrase. I often hear people quoting Paul's use of the phrase "children of disobedience" or John's phrase "children of the devil" and assume that this is God drawing the line between who belongs to Him. However, as I have studied these phrases, I believe that this isn't a segregation determined by God but by man. We treat the devil as if he has his kids and God has his own, when in fact all of humanity belongs to God. The children of disobedience are those who have been produced through disobedience. In other words, it was their actions that got them to that place. Think of it this way: If you have a son or daughter that chooses to live in rebellion then you would consider them a rebellious child. However, their actions would not change the fact that they are still yours. What you are seeing in their life is the "fruit" of their choices. When people choose to live outside of relationship with God then that is exactly what their life will portray but it does not mean that they were never His to begin with. Just as my natural illustration proves that activity doesn't negate the legitimacy of a child to a parent, the lack of faith in the life of a person does not mean they do not belong to God. It simply means they have been deceived into thinking their is life outside of Him. Sound familiar? It should. It's the same lie that Eve believed in the Garden. And to think that Adam & Eve were rejected by God is absolute nonsense created by people who do not understand the unconditional love of God.
The question that remains for us and all of humanity is this: Will we accept sonship that is based upon the finished work of Christ? Will we turn from a lifestyle of thinking we don't need God, or that we can somehow make it on our own? Will we return to our Father? Jesus Christ makes this life possible through His life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. He has demonstrated once and for all that God is not/was not very far from any of us. He has always been working in the lives of men. He always always been declaring who He is through His creation. He has placed something inside of every man that says "I must know Him." This is why the people in Athens had so many idols. That is why they had this statue dedicated to the "unknown God." There was something inside of them that caused them to look for God in everything. Paul's mission was to declare to them the truth of the unknown God - that He could be known - and that He had revealed Himself through Jesus.
I don't know where you are today or how you may feel toward God right now. Just know this truth: He is not far from you.
He has been working in your life even up to this point drawing you to Himself.
I'm sure you have made mistakes...
I'm sure that you have messed things up from time to time...
I'm sure that you have sought after other things thinking there is no way that God was even remotely involved in your life...
However, He has been there. And I believe if you look hard enough, and if you seek Him that you will find Him. I also believe that you will begin to see how He has been at work up to this point in your life trying to bring you to Himself.
You may ask: How is this possible?
It's possible because we have a Father who has completely reconciled Himself to us (see 2 Corinthians 5).
He has removed every barrier, every obstacle, and every thing that could keep you from knowing Him.
Why not turn your heart to Him in thankfulness today? Confess your faith in the Lord Jesus and believe that God raised Him from the dead. The Bible tells us that you will be saved. Then you can begin the journey of sonship in Him.
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