Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a Son, and they shall name Him Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us (Matthew 1:23 NASB)
As our unusual 2020 comes to a close, we pause to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Immanuel. God with us. The Creator of the universe brought near. But what does this really mean? And how does God being with us change who we are, our approach to life and our purpose?
But what is most important about God’s nearness is how His strength and Joy gives us the courage to face any battle we’re in. He’s an ever present help in times of trouble.
What Does “God With Us” Really Mean?
From Eternity
- Jesus was with God in the beginning and the world was created through Him and for Him. [1] [2]
- In Jesus all things hold together.[3]
- Jesus is the first place in everything and God’s fulness dwells in Him [4]
What Christ Gave up for Us
- And although He existed in the form of God, He emptied Himself taking the form a bond servant.[5]
- He set aside His splendor to enter this world in human likeness as a baby in simple circumstances.[6]
- Fueled by the Joy of our redemption, He endured the excruciating pain of the cross to provide us a path to God[7]
How it Becomes Personal
We can allow another Christmas to go by, singing the songs, exchanging the gifts, and eating the food. We can miss the life changing significance of Christ actually being with us in a personal way.
Christ is always in full display in the beauties of the world around us, but “God with us” can become personal:
Recognize the gap
Without Christ we are do not have an intimate relationship with God, without hope in the world, destined to be apart from Him for eternity.[8] [9] [10]
Stop trying to live a good enough life
Eternal life can’t be earned. We don’t make it to heaven by our good works outweighing our wrongs. God’s economy doesn’t work that way.[11]
Believe God
Believing means trusting in Christ’s sacrifice on your behalf, committing your life to His care and relying upon Him for every concern.
Truly, truly, I say to you, the one who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. (John 5:24 NASB)
What Changes When “Being With God” Becomes Personal
Who We Are Changes Forever
- We become loved children of God But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name (John 1:12 NASB)
- God lives in us Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will follow My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling with him (John 14:23 NASB)
- We are complete, fully accomplished and filled to the brim in Christ For in Him all the fulness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete (Colossians 2:9-10a NASB)
Our Approach to Life Changes
- We Decrease and He Increases[12] For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3 NASB)
- We live by faith not by sight, trusting in God’s greater story [13] [14] Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6 NASB)
- We live in abiding dependence upon God’s Holy Spirit within us [15] I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me (Galatians 2:20 NASB)
Our Goals and Purposes are New
- Our top goal is now to Delight in God’s great worth, not worldly happiness. One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord And to meditate in His temple (Psalms 27:4 NASB)
- God Himself is now our greatest reward not things of the earth. After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward” (Genesis 15:1 NIV)
- Our higher Daily purpose becomes loving others not just getting things done. This is My commandment that you love one another, just as I have loved you (John 15:12 NASB)
Prayer
Lord, You are with me right now. Thank You for leading me to slow down and ponder what Immanuel really means. You set aside so much to be with me and to die for me. Please help me fully appreciate what Your nearness means to every moment of my life. I’m yours. I pray I will delight in You throughout the day, knowing that You alone are my great reward. In Your strength, may I love others as You’ve loved me.
In everything I’ve faced and will face, You’ve been my Strength, my Joy and my Courage. May I lean into You throughout life’s journey.
Amen.
[1] John 1:1-3
[2] Colossians 1:16
[3] Colossians 1:17
[4] Colossians 1:18-19
[5] Philippians 2:6-8
[6] Philippians 2:6-8
[7] Hebrews 12:2
[8] Romans 3:23
[9] Isaiah 59:2
[10] Ephesians 2:12
[11] Ephesians 2:4-10
[12] John 3:30
[13] 2nd Corinthians 5:7
[14] Colossians 3:1-2
[15] John 15:4-5
Previous posts in the series – Our Highest Joy:
Dealing with sadness and disappointment
.Joy in the Journey is about the gladness of God’s nearness in the midst of life’s adventures.
Subscribe below to get email notifications of new posts. We post a few times a month. Thank you for reading.
Novels by the Author: