Drawing Near To God

And the beheld His glory, the glory as of the 

Only Begotten of the Father,) 

full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

  God is not a being! God is different from all things that exist! Men often anthropomorphize God and see Him with a body, or a place in which He dwells. Yes God does dwell, but not in space! God is without physical definition and He resides everywhere and not in time. We speak of the throne of God, or even heaven where God resides but this is only man attempting to have some words that describe the indescribable. Yes God has prepared a place for us to live eternally, but this is a heaven made for faithful children of God. We are not Pantheist, we do not believe that God indwells such as a tree or any object, yet God is everywhere so that He sees and hears all things, controls all things, God is everywhere. Therefore we do nothing in secret before God. Since this is true; what sort of people ought we be?

“Since then all things are seen and heard [by God], let us fear Him, and forsake those wicked works which proceed from evil desires; (Literally, “abominable lusts of evil deeds.”) so that, through His mercy, we may be protected from the judgments to come. For whither can any of us flee from His mighty hand? Or what world will receive any of those who run away from Him? For the Scripture saith in a certain place, “Whither shall I go, and where shall I be hid from Thy presence? If I ascend into heaven, Thou art there; if I go away even to the uttermost parts of the earth, there is Thy right hand; if I make my bed in the abyss, there is Thy Spirit.” (Ps. cxxxix. 7–10) Whither, then, shall any one go, or where shall he escape from Him who comprehends all things?

Let us then draw near to Him with holiness of spirit, lifting up pure and undefiled hands unto Him, loving our gracious and merciful Father, who has made us partakers in the blessings of His elect. (Literally “has made us to Himself a part of election.”) For thus it is written, “When the Most High divided the nations, when He scattered (Literally, “sowed abroad.”) the sons of Adam, He fixed the bounds of the nations according to the number of the angels of God. His people Jacob became the portion of the Lord, and Israel the lot of His inheritance.” (Deut. xxxii. 8, 9.) And in another place [the Scripture] saith, “Behold, the Lord taketh unto Himself a nation out of the midst of the nations, as a man takes the first-fruits of his threshing-floor; and from that nation shall come forth the Most Holy.”   (Formed apparently from Num. xviii. 27 and 2 Chron. xxxi. 14.) Literally, the closing words are, “the holy of holies.”

Seeing, therefore, that we are the portion of the Holy One, let us do all those things which pertain to holiness, avoiding all evil-speaking, all abominable and impure embraces, together with all drunkenness, seeking after change, (Some translate, “youthful lusts.”) all abominable lusts, detestable adultery, and execrable pride. “For God,” saith [the Scripture], “resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.” (Prov. iii. 34; Jas. iv. 6; 1 Pet. v. 5.) Let us cleave, then, to those to whom grace has been given by God. Let us clothe ourselves with concord and humility, ever exercising self-control, standing far off from all whispering and evil-speaking, being justified by our works, and not our words. For [the Scripture] saith, “He that speaketh much, shall also hear much in answer. And does he that is ready in speech deem himself righteous? Blessed is he that is born of woman, who liveth but a short time: be not given to much speaking.” (Job xi. 2, 3.) The translation is doubtful. [But see Septuagint.] Let our praise be in God, and not of ourselves; for God hateth those that commend themselves. Let testimony to our good deeds be borne by others, as it was in the case of our righteous forefathers. Boldness, and arrogance, and audacity belong to those that are accursed of God; but moderation, humility, and meekness to such as are blessed by Him.” 

    These early Church fathers kept to one theme, redemption, and living towards a sanctified life. Obedience, humility, peace, and love that is infused to us that God principle love, that is our responsibility to grow into so that we become Authentic Christians, true children of God. He came to earth to accomplish this purpose to redeem so why would we not do all we can to accomplish His will for us?

He judged the cause of the poor

      and needy; then it was well with Him: 

was not this to know Me? saith the LORD.

                Jeremiah 22:16

Read our Church History: you will be blessed

Richard L. Crumb