Meandering - Coram Deo

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”  1 Corinthians 10:31

Our lives are under ever increasing surveillance. Internet and cellular data, ubiquitous video cameras, smart phones, satellites and hovering drones, capture and trace our digital footprints like never before. In light of this, it’s ironic when those who are exposed digitally for inappropriate behaviour are shocked as if they could have kept it hidden.

The truth is, nothing has ever - in this digital age, or any age - been hidden from God. He not only hears and sees our every word and action, but the very thoughts of our hearts and minds are continually open to him. “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good” (Proverbs 15:3). “And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13). 

It’s best to live in this constant awareness that God knows all and sees all. This is to live, as the old writers would say in Latin, “Coram Deo.” Translated into English it means to live “Before the Face of God.”  R.C. Sproul defines Coram Deo as, “…to live one’s entire life in the presence of God, under the authority of God, to the glory of God.” 

Living under the acknowledged gaze of God, however, provides more than an incentive for obedience out of a fear of punishment. It also involves recognizing that there is no greater goal and joy than to live totally and transparently for the glory of God in all you do (1 Corinthians 10:31). The call to live Coram Deo also helps to dissolve the false dichotomy of thinking that only part of our lives, such as attending church services, Bible reading, and prayer, is before God, while other areas like working, driving, and digital activity, is somehow not before God. It’s an affront to our omniscient God to divide our lives between religious activities and nonreligious activities as if he is not aware of, and has not called us to account in, every area of our lives (Psalm 94:7-9).

Thankfully, when we trust in the righteous life, atoning death, and resurrection power of Christ on our behalf, we can be assured that, although God does see and know everything about us continually, he is graciously for us and not against us (Romans 8:31-36). Therefore, we can pursue a life of integrity (not duplicity) that finds its joy in living every moment of every day before the glorious face of God.

Thanks for meandering along with me,
Pastor Daniel