Radioactive Relationships Series

God dwells in His people both individually and collectively. This passage speaks of God dwelling in His church, the plural pronoun is used. But in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, we learn that God dwells within every believer individually. “Do you not know that your body [singular] is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you...Therefore honor God with your body.”

In 1966, the “God-is-dead movement” reached its pinnacle. The cover of Time Magazine on April 8, 1966 asked, “Is God Dead?” The God-is-dead movement was originated by Frederick Nietzsche. In 1882, as scientific knowledge was blooming, Nietzsche wrote in a book he entitled (no kidding) The Gay Science, “God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him. How shall we comfort ourselves, the murder of all murderers?” French existentialist Albert Camus picked up the torch in the 20th Century, and today Richard Dawkins with his book, The God Delusion is the current No-God-Guru.

I have to smile because we know God isn’t dead, these men just lost His address! While they were looking for God somewhere out there, God is alive and well and living in His people. That’s the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages that Paul almost giggled about as he finally got to share it in Colossians 1:27, “Christ IN YOU, the hope of glory.” What a promise!

(2) Our Father promises His intimate fellowship

God also said in verse 16, “I will live [walk] with them.” Not only does God live in us, He promises He will live with us. The word literally means to walk with us. In the Bible, walking with someone was a sign of fellowship. Amos 3:3 asks, “Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?”

Humanity’s relationship with God was broken in the Garden of Eden. The title of John Milton’s epic poem, Paradise Lost, says it all. When Adam and Eve sinned, they lost paradise, and since that time, we have all suffered from the reality of sin in this world. But salvation is basically Paradise Restored. Before the fall, the Bible says God walked and talked with Adam and Eve in the cool of the evening in Eden. That intimate fellowship was broken by sin. At the cross, Jesus died to fix everything that was broken by the Fall. Today, you and I can enjoy the same kind of intimate fellowship with God Adam and Eve had. As the lovely song written by Charles Austin says, “I come to the garden alone; while the dew is still on the roses; and the voice I hear falling on my ear; the Son of God discloses. And He walks with me; and He talks with me; And He tells me I am His own; and the joy we share as we tarry there; none other has ever known.” It’s more than a song, it is a dynamic reality for us right now!

(3) Our Father promises His infinite care

In verse 18 we read, “they will be my sons and daughters.” Have you ever gone through so much suffering and pain that you wondered, “Does anyone even know the pain I feel? Does anybody even care?” I want to assure you that your Heavenly Dad knows what you’re going through, and more than that, He cares. That’s why the Bible says, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)