Is God Too Distant?
When I was growing up, my mother thought God was unknowable. He was too distant, too vast, too holy, too unreachable, and too untouchable.
God IS vast and holy; He IS unreachable and untouchable (without Jesus).
BUT…
God’s Passion for You
But God is Love (1 John 4:8, 16), and He is way too impassioned about His creation, and particularly, His kids to allow distance in relationship. He took no chances. He crafted us. He chose us. He predestined us to do amazing things. He secured us.
The Word says in John 1:1, 4, 9, 12 – 13
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
9 There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. – John 1:1-13 (NASB)
I want to highlight a few very powerful and mind-boggling things.
First off, all creation came from the Word (or Christ). He’s the Source of life and the light of men.
Second, this light enlightens every man.
Third, the darkness and blindness of the world doesn’t dampen the light or lessen the invitation to partake as a child of God.
Fourth, there’s no place in your rebirth (which means born again from God) mentioned in verse 13 that originates with the will of man, but only with the will of God (you may want to read that again). This means it was God’s idea to bring you close to Himself!
You’re Chosen by God and There’s Nothing You Can Do about It
All solid theological understanding must be undergirded with multiple scriptures. Therefore, let’s go to another juicy favorite, Ephesians 1:4-6, 11 (TPT):
4 And he chose us to be his very own, joining us to himself even before he laid the foundation of the universe! Because of his great love, he ordained us, so that we would be seen as holy in his eyes with an unstained innocence.
5–6 For it was always in his perfect plan to adopt us as his delightful children, through our union with Jesus, the Anointed One, so that his tremendous love that cascades over us would glorify his grace—for the same love he has for his Beloved One, Jesus, he has for us. And this unfolding plan brings him great pleasure!
11 Through our union with Christ we too have been claimed by God as his own inheritance. Before we were even born, he gave us our destiny; that we would fulfill the plan of God who always accomplishes every purpose and plan in his heart.
Let me unpack a few astonishing truths.
Verse 4 highlights that we were chosen and mystically joined to Christ before the foundation of the universe with unstained innocence.
Verses 5 and 6 highlight the delight of God to adopt us through our union with Christ, having the same love for us that He has for Christ.
Verse 11 brings out our status as God’s inheritance through our union with Christ and the astonishing fact that He gave us our destiny according to His will even before we were born.
Where in Ephesians 1 does it talk about OUR will, OUR choice, or OUR accomplishment?
NOWHERE.
You and I were chosen in Christ before we could choose or do anything!
You’re Chosen to Do Great Things
In John 15:15-16 (NIV), Jesus talks to His disciples and to us as His future disciples:
15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.
This scripture reveals that Christ chose us first, not the other way around. Then, it also reveals that we were chosen to bear fruit!
When was this done? God’s predestined plan was before the foundation of the world!
Ephesians 2:10 (AMPC) reiterates:
10 For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].
God’s Love May Be Mysterious, but Not up for Debate
Revelation 13:9 says the Lamb – Christ – was slain before the foundation of the world. God walked this out 2000 years ago in the flesh as the Son of Man on the cross.
How did that work? Therein lies the vast mystery of God. He is vast and outside of time, yet, at the same time, is intimately and closely involved with us.
As a matter a fact, the word “mystery” is mentioned 22 times in the New Testament (depending on your translation). God’s nature isn’t up for debate. He is Love (1 John 4:8, 16), He loves you and all His creation, and He is good and there is no shadow of turning or change in His nature (James 1:17, Hebrews 13:8).
So, while we stagger to comprehend Christ and all the implications of what He accomplished before the creation of the world and on the cross, we can rest. We are adored. We can let Him be a huge adoring Father even if we can’t fully comprehend Him, and we can be His vastly beloved children.
Join me next time as we dive into these gorgeous mysteries!
