In the Presence of God

2 Timothy 4:1

“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is

to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom..”

Do we live, walk, stand in the all pervading presence of God and of Christ Jesus?

Do we live for God’s approval considering that we must give an account ?

It was a characteristic of Jesus while as a man He displayed the nature of God in that he ‘saw people’ their location, their thinking, even their relationships. He saw Nathanael ‘before Philip called you, you were under a fig tree (John 1:48). Nathanael said “How do you know me?” He saw a Samaritan woman and her mixed up life, and Pharisees who came with devious intent. Does it concern you that He sees you?

Timothy is reminded that his life is before one who is “always present”, inescapable and before whom he must give an account. This all seeing-ness of God is spoken of in three ways – In His sight; Before God; In His Presence.

1. We are In His Sight [1 Tim 2:3; 5:4, 21; 6:13; 2 Tim 2:14; 4:1

His sight is like the seeing of the eye tested but also inward -seeing.

We live in the sight of the Living God. Paul put it this way:

"In Him we live and move and have our being.” Acts 17:28

Our actions and deeds are in His sight:

“By the deeds of the law no flesh shall be justified in his sight (Rom 3:20)

Peter told Simon the Magician “thy heart is not right in the sight of God”(Acts 8:21) and Scripture says - “ Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” (Heb 4:13). James says, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord.” (Jas 4:10). Jeremiah wrote he who fills heaven and earth – can we hide from him? (Jer 23:24). The Psalmist wrote, “ he that formed the eye does he not see? (Ps 94:9). Hagar fleeing from the sight of her mistress Sarah found herself always in the sight of God–She cried “You are a seeing God” (Gen 16:13).The second way this is expressed:

2. We are Before God (as in the KJV)

- before God - the earth was corrupted in wickedness (Gen 6:11)

- before God – the Elders of Israel ate (Ex 18:12);

- before God - Israel lived as a nation (Josh 24:1; Jud 21:2)

- before God David rejoiced as he brought the ark of God to Jerusalem before God - Our oaths are made (Ecclesiatses 5:2)

- Zechariah and Elizabeth – walking righteous before God (Lk 1:6)

- before God – is the sparrow – His eyes is one them (Lk 12:6)

- before God – is pure and undefiled religion (Jas 1:27)

The third way it is expressed:

3. We are in the Presence of God” (as in ESV, NASB)- a similar phrase:

‘so let the wicked perish at the presence of God” Ps 68:2

'The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.’ (Psa 68:8 )

Jonah tried to flee ‘away the presence of the Lord “ (Jonah 1:3,10)

“And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to show thee these glad tidings.“ (Lk 1:19)“For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:” Heb 9:24

Our lives, what we do, the way we live, the decision we make, the way we serve, are a serious matter to God for we live in His sight, before God, and in the presence of God. God sees, and God cares – He sees our need before we ask, but wants us still to ask Him. He sees, cares, and sent his Son to become our Saviour.

Based on Message 30 January 2022 ©John 2022