Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Overview:Being with God refers to the state of communion, fellowship, and intimate relationship between a believer and the Almighty. This concept is central to Christian theology, emphasizing the presence of God in the life of a believer and the believer's response to that presence. It encompasses both the temporal experience of God's presence in this life and the eternal promise of being with Him in the life to come.
Biblical Foundations:1.
Presence of God: The Bible frequently speaks of God's desire to dwell with His people. In the Old Testament, God's presence was manifested in the tabernacle and the temple.
Exodus 25:8 states, "Then have them make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them." This theme continues in the New Testament, where believers are described as the temple of the Holy Spirit (
1 Corinthians 6:19).
2.
Immanuel · God With Us: The prophecy of
Isaiah 7:14, fulfilled in
Matthew 1:23 , declares, "Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel" (which means, "God with us"). This signifies the incarnation of Christ as the ultimate expression of God being with humanity.
3.
Abiding in Christ: Jesus emphasizes the importance of abiding in Him to maintain a close relationship with God. In
John 15:4 , He instructs, "Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me."
4.
The Holy Spirit: The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a testament to God's presence with believers.
John 14:16-17 promises, "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth." The Holy Spirit guides, comforts, and empowers believers, ensuring God's continual presence.
5.
Eternal Fellowship: The ultimate fulfillment of being with God is found in the promise of eternal life.
Revelation 21:3 proclaims, "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.'"
Theological Implications:1.
Sanctification: Being with God involves a process of sanctification, where believers are progressively conformed to the image of Christ. This transformation is facilitated by the Holy Spirit and is a response to God's presence in one's life.
2.
Worship and Prayer: A life of being with God is marked by worship and prayer. These practices are means through which believers experience God's presence and express their devotion.
Psalm 16:11 declares, "You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
3.
Community: The concept of being with God extends to the community of believers, the Church, which is described as the body of Christ. Fellowship with other believers is an essential aspect of experiencing God's presence collectively.
4.
Mission: Being with God compels believers to participate in His mission. As Jesus commissioned His disciples in
Matthew 28:19-20 , He assured them, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." This presence empowers and guides believers in their mission to make disciples.
Practical Application:1.
Daily Devotion: Engaging in daily Bible reading, prayer, and meditation fosters a deeper awareness of God's presence.
2.
Obedience: Living in obedience to God's commandments is a reflection of a life lived in His presence.
3.
Community Involvement: Actively participating in a local church community enhances one's experience of being with God through corporate worship and service.
4.
Mindfulness of God's Presence: Cultivating an awareness of God's presence in everyday life encourages believers to live in a manner that honors Him.
Being with God is a dynamic and transformative relationship that shapes the believer's life, both now and for eternity.
Topical Bible Verses
1 Corinthians 8:6But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
Topicalbible.orgJames 4:8
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double minded.
Topicalbible.org
Psalm 90:2
Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, you are God.
Topicalbible.org
Colossians 2:9
For in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
Topicalbible.org
Greek
564. aperitmetos -- uncircumcised... [564 () literally refers to an uncircumcised foreskin, which stands for "
being of
God's covenant" -- ie without the promise of His salvation.].
...1128. gumnazo -- to exercise naked, to train
... () conveys acquiring -- regular exercise with graduated resistance (the physical
element is also included with the spiritual ofbeing in "God's gymnasium")....
4059. peritemno -- to cut around, circumcise
... off the "old life," in favor of the which is ( Seed). This starts withbeing
intoGod's family (personally entering His covenant)....
2316. theos --God, agod
... [Long before the NT was written, 2316 () referred to the supremebeing who and sustains
all things.]. Word Origin of uncertain origin DefinitionGod, agod NASB...
1096. ginomai -- to come intobeing, to happen, to become
... to be ("gen"-erate), ie (reflexively) to become (come intobeing), used with... be ended,
fall, be finished, follow, be found, be fulfilled, +God forbid, grow...
5297. hupophero -- to bear bybeing under, to endure
... the river ofGod's Spirit, Jn 7:37-39). Word Origin from hupo and phero Definition
to bear bybeing under, to endure NASB Word Usage bears up under (1), endure...
551. apeirastos -- untried, untempted
... 551/ ("untemptable"), only occurring in Js 1:13, refers toGod's nature as
ofbeing tempted, ie He can not be wooed (enticed) by sin....
5140. treis and tria -- three
... 5140 -- ; also the number of (symbolically) showing His work -- ie as the (being),
God the Father,God the Son, andGod the Holy Spirit. Word Origin a prim....
4134. pleres -- full
... presence of the Lord (His provisions) which is the definition of a life.
See 4130 ().Being "" (4134 ) bringsGod's , (Ac 6:3,8)....
935. basileus -- a king
... As King, Jesus Christ has unqualified jurisdiction over all creation --
alsobeing God the Creator. (cf. Jn 1:1-3,49). See 932 ()....
Strong's Hebrew
430. elohim --God,god... of eloah Definition
God,
god NASB Word Usage divine (1), divine
being (1), exceedingly
(1),
God (2326),
god (45),
God's (14), goddess (2), godly (1), gods (204
...Library
TheBeing ofGod
... 3.God and his creation 1. TheBeing OfGod.... Nahum 1:1. What do ye imagine
against the Lord?' ButGod being a Spirit is impenetrable....
Love in the TriuneBeing ofGod.
... Second Chapter. LOVE. XVIII. Love in the TriuneBeing ofGod.... Lovebeing the highest
good,God must be the very liberal Fountain of all Love....
Being ofGod. 1 There is aGod --All Nature Speaks
... CHARACTER, ATTRIBUTES AND PROVIDENCE OFGOD. 101. "Being ofGod. 1 There is
aGod"all nature speaks. 101. LM Mrs. Steele.Being ofGod....
The Misery ofBeing WithoutGod in this World; Or, Vain Prosperity...
... Hymns, Book II HYMN 56 The misery ofbeing withoutGod in this world; or, Vain
prosperity.... The misery ofbeing withoutGod in this world; or, Vain prosperity....
Whether Creatures Need to be Kept inBeing byGod?
... THE SPECIAL EFFECTS OF THE DIVINE GOVERNMENT (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether
creatures need to be kept inbeing byGod? Objection 1: It...
The Misery ofBeing WithoutGod in this World; Or, Vain Prosperity...
... Hymns. Book 2. Composed on Divine Subjects. Hymn 2:56. The misery ofbeing
withoutGod in this world; or, Vain prosperity. 1 O, I...
Whatever Is, Owes ItsBeing toGod.
... Book VII. Chapter XV."Whatever Is, Owes ItsBeing toGod. 21. And I looked
back on other things, and I perceived that it was to...
"But," Continues Celsus, "What Great Deeds did Jesus Perform as...
... "But," continues Celsus, "what great deeds did Jesus perform asbeing aGod?... "But,"
continues Celsus, "what great deeds did Jesus perform asbeing aGod?...
Our Creation andGod's Incarnation Most Intimately Connected. As...
... knowledge ofGod and were turned back to what was not (for what is evil is not,
but what is good is), they should, since they derive theirbeing fromGod who IS...
God is not aBeing of Simple Goodness; Other Attributes Belong to...
... goodness,"because, as far as the congruity of the divine character is concerned,
it cannot indeed be fitting that thatBeing should be regarded asGod who is...
Resources
What does the Bible say about being nosey? | GotQuestions.orgIs being gay a sin? Is it a sin to be gay? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the implications of God being infinite, unlimited, and unmeasurable? | GotQuestions.orgBeing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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