"The Omission of God"

"The Omission of God" 

    In an article that would seemingly have nothing to do with the origins of the human race, I recently read an author make propositions that completely omitted any consideration of God from our creation and existence.

   "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind" (Romans 8:28).

   It is difficult to understand how people live, having completely rejected the Creator and Sustainer of their existence.  The truth of the matter is that unbelievers are not actually alive, as God defines life.  "I am… the life" declared the Lord Jesus, and the Apostle Paul echoed, "To live is Christ" (John 14:6; Philippians 1:21).  Thus, we are merely existing and waiting to die, or we are vibrantly alive through Christ, and waiting to be glorified.  The latter path of life begins with the new birth, when we enter into Christ by grace through faith.  "And you hath He quickened (enlivened), who were dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1).  Subsequently, we seek to experience life in the Lord Jesus by availing ourselves of His indwelling and dynamic presence on our behalf.  We can be alive in Him, but not actually live, again, according to God's definition of authentic life.  Through unbelief, we can journey as if were are merely ourselves, as opposed to being ourselves as inhabited by the risen Prince of life.  Thus, Paul commands that we "reckon ye also yourselves to be… alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:11).

   Even the most ardent born again believers can experience life as does the aforementioned author who lives - well, he merely exists - in the omission of God.  It is not inevitable at present that Christians will trust and submit to the Lord Jesus in a manner that leads to life as it is truly is.  We can be alive, but not actually live.  The matter involves the Lord Jesus - again, "to live is Christ".  This involves confidence in His presence and working in us, and also submission to the will of God as defined by Scripture and enabled by the Holy Spirit.  Upon reading the words of the author I reference, I instantly sneered within.  "How can he think that way?!"  However, the thought quickly came to mind that too many times, I also "think that way".  At least in terms of how I view my life, the case can be made that the omission of God still too often characterizes my response and subsequent experience.  I know you join me in desiring to truly live rather than merely exist.  Let us therefore seek the light of Christ that leads to the life of Christ affirmed, assimilated, and accessed in a manner that fosters the inclusion of God.  This is life, as defined by God.  There is no other.

"In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him." 

(I John 4:9)

Weekly Memory Verse (an easy one this week!  But vital.)

   To live is Christ.

(Philippians 1:21)