God’s desire is to dwell in our midst – today – as a loving heavenly Father, rather than a someday Judge or eventual King. Because of His great love for His children, His heart’s desire is to be the primary guiding influence in our lives as a presence that dwells with us and among us.
God invites each of us to partake of His insightful presence.
We choose how much we embrace or ignore Him.
God’s presence can be described as a nutrient rich environment. He designed life to be a developmental process within this environment. As we seek God’s insights and allow Him to guide our thoughts and actions, we grow more and more into His likeness. Our individual lives and relationships are transformed as we apply His eternal perspectives to all areas of life.
Old Testament Prophecy of God’s Presence on Earth
The Old Testament foretold of a time when God would establish His governing presence on earth. Daniel said it would come after the successive historical reigns of Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece, during the fourth kingdom – the Roman Empire.
“In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom
which will never be destroyed.” (Daniel 2:44)
Isaiah also prophesied that when this time came, God would establish a governing presence (as a kingdom) that would continue to increase until His influencing presence filled the whole earth.
“There will be no end to the increase of His government…to establish it…from then on
and forevermore.” (Isaiah 9:7)
Both writers declared this governing presence of God would endure and increase from then on, forevermore.
New Testament Fulfillment of Prophesies
When Jesus began his public ministry, He declared the prophesied time had come for God’s kingdom influence. He introduced our heavenly Father’s governing presence 2000 years ago while the Roman Empire ruled.
“Jesus came…preaching the gospel [good news] of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’”(Mark 1:14-15)
The Gospel of John proclaimed Jesus Christ is the expression of God that came to earth to demonstrate our heavenly Father’s desire to dwell with us as the light of our life (See John 1:1-5,9-14).
In the first book of the New Testament, Matthew identified Jesus as “Christ” (1:16) and as “Emmanuel” (1:23). When we consider that the word Christ means “anointed” and the name Emmanuel means “God with us,” we are able to realize that Jesus was “The anointing presence of God that came to dwell among people.”
God’s Anointing Presence Dwells With Us
The word, “Christ” however, speaks of more than the historical Jesus. In Acts 4:26-27 Christ is used to speak of God’s anointing on Jesus. Christ refers to the presence of God that comes into our midst to inspire, anoint, influence, lead, and guide us.
Jesus introduced the culture of Christ as the anointing presence of God that would influence lives from that time forward. God has continued to dwell among the willing. He seeks to lead and guide us through our times and seasons, generation after generation.
Most everyone has sensed God’s protective or inspiring presence at one time or another. Jesus referred to the atmosphere of the culture of Christ when He spoke of people who are spiritually alive and relate to God in some manner.
The reality of His presence is not reserved for someday or for the next life.
God’s presence continues to inspire all who receive Him. Everybody is invited to experience this way of living. This is not a hope (as a delayed expectation) but is a living reality for life in this world. The people of this culture experience God as a presence that seems always to be near.
In the culture of Christ, we describe this inspirational presence as “A Way of Life Like No Other.” Are you experiencing God’s presence in your daily life in the fullness He intends?
Here at Relational Gospel our goal is to encourage everyone into an active one-on-one fellowship with the Presence of God. Please make yourself at home and find out more about how: God is in us as a source of life, with us as a transforming Presence, and in our midst to empower our fellowship with Him and each other.
Keith Carroll, Relational Gospel Founder
More resources about our relational God:
Created to Relate, Insights Into Our Design and Purpose, and The Christ Culture, A Way of Life Like No Other are available for purchase on this site, by request in bookstores, and on Amazon.com. Folks are finding them to be insightful and stimulating. Get your copy today!
Keith’s books are excellent for personal understanding, for new believers, and to share in small groups. We provide a Leader’s Guide to facilitate discussions.
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