Glorious Immanence

I will make my dwelling among you, and my soul shall not abhor you. And I will walk among you and will be your God, and you shall be my people. - Leviticus 26:11-12


The magnitude of God's condescension in Christ can be seen as we look into its eternal ramification. Christ did not take on the form of his creatures, to dwell in his creation, as a temporary thing. He did not discard his earthly body as some disgusting thing once his atoning work was done. He did not trash his body after his resurrection to return to the Father in spirit. No, his immanence is manifest to us in that he will have, and chooses to have, a body like his creatures for eternity future. He will dwell with us in the New Earth, bringing Heaven with him. In dwelling with us and as us, he exemplifies the glories of his grace; elevating our worth, and sealing forever our place as children of God. We are made in God's image, but more than that, our entire personhood is united in him and reflects his glory!

How often I walk through life with a theoretical knowledge of God's love. I fear that he has to love me as an earthly father has to love his kids... sadly sometimes a forced or cold 'love.' I say, "O yeah, God loves me," but do I truly understand that he actually LIKES and delights in me?! I often ask questions like, "If you could hang out with anyone for a day, who would it be?" Usually the answer is a famous or rich person, sometimes if someone is feeling really spiritual they will say Jesus. But the power of the gospel is that Jesus chose ME when asked who he would most like to hang out with... and not for a day, but for an eternity to dwell intimately and vibrantly with me. He is not obligated or forced into relationship with me, but passionately pursued that relationship, even dying for the sin that separated us! The God of the universe loved me in such a way as to take on created flesh to dwell tangibly and permanently with me for eternity.