Living in God's Presence

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    Recently, I learned a little about the "5 Solas," and shared with you about each of those foundational truths of the Christian faith.  While learning all those Latin phrases, I came across another new-to-me Latin phrase that has been a fascinating study.  I pray that it will be edifying to you as well.  It is the Latin phrase, Coram Deo.  It is first used in the Latin Vulgate Bible to translate Psalm 56:13: 

For You have delivered my soul from death, yes, my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of life. (ESV)

      The phrase, Coram Deo, is translated into English in this Psalm as, "that I may walk before God."  Literally, Coram Deo means something that takes place in the very presence of God, or in front of His face.  The Psalmist was praising God for the opportunity to live  life in front of His Creator. 

    We know from Scripture that God is omnipresent.  There is no place that is hidden from His vision and presence.  Coram Deo encompasses this truth, but takes it even further.  It is a challenge as well as a fact for Christian living.  Do we live every moment with the realization that we are living it out "in the very presence of God?"  The fact is that we are. 

    Coram Deo is the concept of I Corinthians 10:31 where Paul tells us that we are to do everything, even the mundane actions of eating and drinking, to the glory of God.  Every single action and part of a Christian life should be motivated by realizing who we are as well as who and what God is. 

    Now,  we are not to be motivated by legalism.  That means we are not living in fear that if we do not perform perfectly we will miss Heaven.  NO! That would be works salvation.  Scripture is clear that our salvation is based on the finished work of Christ alone (Remember Sola Fide and Solus Christus?).  We must beware of the motivation for our actions.

    However, living in the light of Coram Deo should mean that we live differently.  If we see God for who He is -- as revealed to us in Scripture -- we realize that we are living every moment in the presence of a Holy God, who redeemed us by His grace that we may live forever with Him.  Desiring to live to honor our Saviour is a thankfulness response as we realize what He did for us. We see in Scripture that we are created to bring Him glory.  How do we do that?  By living out every moment and action of our life to honor Him.  An audience of One.  There is nothing hid from Him. 

    This means that there is no "down time" or "me time" where we "take a break" from "Christian things."  The music we listen to, the books we read, our thoughts, the shows and videos we entertain ourselves with, the clothes we wear, even what we put in our body is being conducted under the watchful eye of God.  This is an honor, not a burden for the Christian.  You see, in Heaven we will not desire anything other than to worship at His feet.  That should be our desire now as well. 

    Can you imagine the impact of a church who truly lives out the Scriptural concept of Corum Deo?  God can use Christians who are devoted completely to living for His glory in a mighty way.  How will the realization that we are living in His presence change your life?  Would it change the way you live?  I promise that it will bring blessing to you as you do.  Corum Deo has been a very humbling and amazing study for me and I challenge you to study it out more fully!

Soli Deo Gloria!

💓 Heather Sparks💓

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