Hi Friends, can you believe we are strolling into May? I pray we enter with great anticipation because our Abba Father's plan is unfolding. There is a great call to humanity to come home to the Father's house, and one of the ways we participate in what our Abba is doing is by lavishing the truth of the finished work of Jesus living ‘Coram Deo.’
Coram Deo is living with an awareness of His presence, seeing Him, and knowing we are seen and kept by for Him, which enlarges our capacity to walk in the will of God, by the Spirit of God. This month we begin with the theological premise of Coram Deo, which means ‘before the face of God.’ The actual definition means to embrace living one's entire life in the presence of God, under the authority of God, to the glory of God.
But how do we do this? Well, today, we dive deep into the three points of Coram Deo. The theological framework of Coram Deo is wrought in the Gospel, where we are invited to keep our minds fixed on Christ, thereby magnifying the Triune God. I hope that by peering into these three virtues, we discover it is already at work in our lives as followers of Jesus Christ.
(I) Living In The Presence of God
Coram Deo is profound because it acknowledges God's omnipresence. He is Immanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23). Whether people choose to receive the truth or not, it doesn't change that God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. Nothing escapes His notice, and this should bring us great joy. There isn't a moment we are not in His heart and on His mind. There isn't a moment when all things aren't working to bring about His divine plan.
Through the finished work of Christ, we have intimacy with God. It is only through Him that we come to know God. “Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.”John 14:6. Christ's sacrifice brought us near to God. “But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were [so] far away, through (by, in) the blood of Christ have been brought near.” Ephesians 2:13. Since we’ve received salvation, we live with an awareness of the presence of God. The question becomes do we cultivate this beautiful truth?
I ask because it is a part of our inheritance, friends. We are awakened to God and righteousness and are constantly in the presence of God, so let's live as so! “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” James 4:8. One way we fully embrace the presence of God is when we trust in the Lord, lean not to our understanding, and acknowledge Him in all our ways. This reinforces that we've died to -self to embrace the fullness of God.
“For you have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.” Psalm 56:13.
(II) Living Surrendered to the Sovereignty and Authority of God
Coram Deo frees us to trust God in simplicity and completely, especially during times of suffering. Coral Deo profoundly and radically changes how we see God and live the Christian life. For example, when we look back at the saints of old, we know they went through times of affliction, difficulty, disillusionment, and depression but God. Over and over again, we see God working in their lives. Even if the situation before them didn't change. They trusted in the sovereignty of the LORD.
“If the God we serve exists, then he can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and he can rescue us from the power of you, the king. But even if he does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.”Daniel 3:17-18.
It was the presence of God in the fire that kept three young men from being consumed. We also have the assurance that even if our situation isn't remedied, God loves us and sees us. We know “that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28. God can take a mess and turn it into a message that helps us to see Him and His character and build our faith while transforming the hearts of those in our sphere of influence.
Our lives are not void of suffering, hardship, or trials but God. But God can use it to bring about His divine plan. I believe this is so helpful because it allows us to (1) look to God (not ourselves) and (2) be thankful to God in all circumstances.
“give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18.
(III) Living For The Glory of God
Before we can live for God's glory, we should understand what it means. Before we begin, maybe pause and write down what it means to you.
In the Bible, the Hebrew word for glory is 'kāḇôḏ,' and the Greek is 'doxa.'
Kāḇôḏ means - (I) honor, abundance, riches, splendor, dignity, reputation, reverence, weight.
Doxa means - (I) opinion, judgment, (II) estimate, (III) splendor, brightness, magnificence, excellence, preeminence, dignity, grace, and (IV) most glorious position or exalted state.
Below are a few verses for us to contemplate regarding God's glory. There is a common thread I would like us to see.
“And Moses said, I beseech You, show me Your glory.” Exodus 33:18. “And the Lord said, Behold, there is a place beside Me, and you shall stand upon the rock, And while My glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by.”Exodus 33:21-22.
“THE HEAVENS declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows and proclaims His handiwork. [Rom. 1:20, 21.] Day after day pours forth speech, and night after night shows forth knowledge.” Psalm 19:1-2.
“The heavens declare His righteousness, and all the peoples see His glory.” Psalm 97:6.
“And the glory (majesty and splendor) of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it. [Luke 3:5, 6.]” Isaiah 40:5
“So then, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you may do, do all for the honor and glory of God.”1 Corinthians 10:31.
What we conclude is God's glory is made manifest. His glory is tangible and revealed for the entire world to see. We also can see from the beginning of Genesis that we are created in the image of God. “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27. Why? We are made for Him. We are made as image-bearers to reflect Him in the earth. As we walk in the Spirit, we bear the fruit of the Spirit, displaying God’s love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. In this way, we bring Him glory and participate in the great ministry of reconciliation.
Before we end, let's look at five-practical ways to give God glory.
(1) Trust God (Romans 4:20)
(2) Forgiving Others (130:4)
(3) Be Thankful (Psalm 50:23)
(4) Cultivate Prayer (conversation with God)
(5) Bear Fruit (John 15:8)
ScriptureSnack| Coram Deo
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Trust in God brings Glory to God.
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“No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God,” Romans 4:20.
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Our God is compassionate, long-suffering, and forgiving. When we forgive others, we shed the light and nature of Christ, which brings Him glory.
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“But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.” Psalm 130:4.
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God is above ALL and worthy of praise. When we live lives as a sacrifice unto Him, thanking him in all things, we bring glory to God.
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“The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!”
Psalm 50:23
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Prayer is communion with God and a way we abide in Him. It is a conversation with God where we pour out our hearts and wait to hear Him speak, for His word is our deliverance.
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“and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”
Psalm 50:15
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Walking in the Spirit assures we bear the fruit of God in our lives.
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“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”
John 15:8.
Let's Pray.
Abba Father, You are God. You are holy and majestic in all the earth. Praise is continually on my lips, for You are worthy. Your greatness is seen in all of creation, and I am blessed for Christ has reconciled me to You. I am blessed to know and be loved by You. May my life be a living sacrifice before Your throne, and may I reflect Your kindness with every opportunity. “To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Timothy 1:17.
