Category Archives: Near

Bible, Christ, Comfort, Near, Return, Scripture

THE LORD IS NEAR

PHILIPPIANS 4:5

“Let your gentle spirit be known to all people. The Lord is near.”

We all use comforting and encouraging words from time to time. We say things like “You’ve got this” or “I believe in you.” These kinds of sayings can lift a person in despair and help someone who is struggling with a particular trial. We may even tell a loved one “I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere.” I’ve said that and have been told that.

Paul uses a phrase at the end of this verse that seemingly was a common, comforting saying among the early believers. He says, “The Lord is near.” Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers describes this phrase like this, “A translation of the Syriac ‘Maran-atha’ of 1Corinthians 16:22—obviously a Christian watchword, probably referring to the Second Advent as near at hand; although, of course, not excluding the larger idea of that presence of Christ in His Church of which that Second Advent is the consummation.” Whether Paul was referring to the Second Coming of Christ being near or that Christ through the Holy Spirit was near to them at all times, Paul’s greeting in this phrase was meant to encourage.

APPLICATION

In Romans 10:8, Paul quotes from the book of Deuteronomy when he writes, “But what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,…” Paul knew that these Roman believers needed to be reminded that Christ, through the Word, was near. That’s the idea also in today’s verse. Christ is near.

But how about the other possibility of that phrase’s usage, that the Second Coming was near. Many in the early church thought Christ’s return was imminent. Many believe that today. It seems everything is ready for His return, but the exact day and hour only the Father knows. I believe Paul stook to his script. He wanted these Philippian believers to live each day as if it could be the day of Christ’s return.

The same holds true for us today, beloved. One – Christ is near and dear to us daily through the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in the edification and instruction of His written Word. But we should also live today as if it could be the day of His return. Behold, the Lord is near. Maranantha!

Thank You, Lord, for being near to me each and every day. I look expectantly for Your return.

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Abiding, Access, Bible, Blood, Eternity, God's Will, Hugs, Near, Scripture, Snuggles

BROUGHT NEAR BY THE BLOOD

EPHESIANS 2:13

“But now in Christ Jesus you who previously were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

Okay, I admit it. I’m a snuggler. I like to snuggle. I like close contact. I would go to sleep every night snuggling my wife, but she says I am like an oven. I think she just thinks I’m hot. Lol. But seriously, I like to be close to people. I had much rather be in a room with ten close friends than in a concert with thousands. It’s just the way I am wired.

Did you know God likes to snuggle? It’s true. Look at today’s verse. Paul says we “have been brought near.” God saw that we “were far away” and sent His Son to bring us near. God wanted and still wants to be close to us. I love how Albert Barnes explains this verse. “The Jews came near to the mercy seat on which the symbol of the divine presence rested by the blood that was offered in sacrifice; that is, the high priest approached that mercy-seat with blood and sprinkled it before God. Now we are permitted to approach him with the blood of the atonement. The shedding of that blood has prepared the way by which Gentiles as well as Jews may approach God, and it is by that offering that we are led to seek God.”

APPLICATION

Wow! Isn’t that great? Through the shed blood of Christ, we can approach the mercy seat of God. His blood prepared the path. It was nothing we did. It was all Him. James says this in James 4:8. “Come close to God and He will come close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” The verb used for “come close” is from the same Greek word used in today’s verse for “near.”

Isn’t it sad that so many won’t do that? They won’t come close. They prefer to stay far away. They think they don’t need that kind of intimacy with God. But they shouldn’t tarry. Jesus said so in Luke 21:29-31. “29 And He told them a parable: ‘Look at the fig tree and all the trees: 30 as soon as they put forth leaves, you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near. 31 So you too, when you see these things happening,  recognize that the kingdom of God is near.’”

Jesus said it, so that settles it. The kingdom is drawing near. Jesus could return in our lifetime. Or He come next century. We don’t know, but we must be ready. If you are living far away today, draw near to Him. He will wrap you in His loving embrace and snuggle you. I promise. I have felt it. It is so comforting. Draw near today!

Father, I welcome Your embrace and snuggles.

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