In Part 2 of this Reflection, I delve a bit deeper into Acts 17:28 and other scriptures that support it.
“In Him we live and move and have our being”
My particular case was not what Paul had in mind as he eloquently introduced those Athens “professors” to the truths of the God of the Bible.
Yet the reality is that God also uses my testimony to show those truths to the world. So I really do need to remember the truth of Paul’s argument when I start to feel stressed and liable to forget God’s nature, His character and all His promises.
So I want to finish this reflection by reminding myself (and anyone else who cares to read this!) of the profound nature of the truths that flow through these ten words, words that Paul borrowed from a pagan poet’s writing 600 years before he addressed the Areopagus in Athens.
“In Him we live”
The opening words “In Him we live” are obviously referring to Paul’s one true God. The fact is that He created us to be constantly dependent upon Him. Psalm 36:9 tells us He is our source; Genesis 2:7 and 11:25 tell us He is the giver of life and breath; Jesus Himself in Luke 20:38 tells us that He is not the God of the dead but of the living.
God is not some mad cosmic scientist who created us as AI robots and after setting us in motion is sitting back to see what happens. But He is a creator who loves His creation and is always ready to respond to our needs for support, for provision, for healing to provide us with the opportunity to experience what the Bible calls abundant life. In our church sometimes we sing “ You’re a good, good Father, that’s who You are” – an eternal truth.
“In Him we move”
These four words confirm our that our strength as Christians comes from God. Psalm 68:35 says: “The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people”.
John tells us that God is love (1 John 4:8) and Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians tells us to “Let all you do be done in love.”(1 Corinthians 16:14) so in our utter dependence on Him, our every move should be undergirded with love. In that same song I mentioned earlierwe sing the words “and I am loved by You. That’s who I am”
“In Him we have our being”
God’ gift to us is an eternal one (Romans 6:23), He upholds us every moment and we are sustained by His powerful word (Hebrews 1:3) He holds everything together.Finally, Paul in his letter to the Colossians sums it all up: “All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things and in Him all things consist.”
That really puts any little stresses and strains from moving house in perspective! I just need to remember it!
All references are from the NKJV unless specified otherwise.
John Partis
bearing-kingdom-fruit.com
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