“God with Us”
Thursday, December 05, 2019
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”
Matthew 1:21–23
Most religions throughout history have featured deities who were aloof and distant—needing persuasion to intervene in human affairs, and often doing so in fickle ways that brought more harm than help. Ever since sin entered the world, there has been a separation between God and man. No matter how man tries to bridge that divide, whether through worship or works, it cannot be crossed from the human side. Only God could reach across the gap, and that is why Jesus was born. He was God living with man to bring man back to God.
Jesus lived some two thousand years ago, and He has long since returned to Heaven. But His departure does not mean that God is no longer present. Jesus told His disciples, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you” (John 14:16–17).
The Holy Spirit lives in every believer, and is always present with us. People sometimes speak of feeling like they are far away from God, but that feeling is never caused by His withdrawal from us. We can and often do break the closeness of the relationship but it never changes. He never leaves or forsakes His children.
Today's Growth Principle:
God’s Spirit is just as real and present with us today as Jesus was with His disciples when He walked the earth.
Thursday, December 05, 2019
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”
Matthew 1:21–23
Most religions throughout history have featured deities who were aloof and distant—needing persuasion to intervene in human affairs, and often doing so in fickle ways that brought more harm than help. Ever since sin entered the world, there has been a separation between God and man. No matter how man tries to bridge that divide, whether through worship or works, it cannot be crossed from the human side. Only God could reach across the gap, and that is why Jesus was born. He was God living with man to bring man back to God.
Jesus lived some two thousand years ago, and He has long since returned to Heaven. But His departure does not mean that God is no longer present. Jesus told His disciples, “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you” (John 14:16–17).
The Holy Spirit lives in every believer, and is always present with us. People sometimes speak of feeling like they are far away from God, but that feeling is never caused by His withdrawal from us. We can and often do break the closeness of the relationship but it never changes. He never leaves or forsakes His children.
Today's Growth Principle:
God’s Spirit is just as real and present with us today as Jesus was with His disciples when He walked the earth.
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