coram Deo

Yes, that title is in Latin. No, I haven't gone and learned Latin on you. However, I did learn what this means recently. Would you like to know? It means essentially living in the face of God. Ok, what does that mean, you ask? It means living out our lives, each day, as though we are right in front of God's face.

A Christ follower should already be doing this, but how often have you actually stopped to think about this? Are you living your life as though God is watching your every move, your every step, and your every action? He is, you know. What does He see?

Because I am a sinner, I know that there are some things God sees in my life, that I'm sure He does NOT want to see. Though I do live my life each day, trying not to do these things. What kinds of things does God see in your life, that you think He wouldn't want to see?

For me, these are just a few of the things that I am aware of, that I know He doesn't want to see. Sometimes, I am selfish. I think I deserve more than I'm getting, and I even if I don't let the feeling be known to the people around me, He knows. Sometimes, I'm not honest. I can justify it all I want, and call it a little white lie, but a lie is a lie, period. Even lying by omission, is still lying. Sometimes I exaggerate. Guess what...That's lying too. Sometimes I'm lazy. Ever heard of the "deadly sins"? This is one of them. Sometimes I'm proud, and unsubmissive. Sometimes, I'm judgemental. Sometimes, I'm angry and say hurtful things. Sometimes, I'm covetous. I want things I don't have, sometimes. Come to think of it, I am constantly sinning in some way. I don't mean to, and I don't want to, but I do it nonetheless. How about you? Got any sins you need to acknowledge?

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but [how] to perform what is good I do not find. Romans 7:18 NKJV

Now being a sinner, does not necessarily make you what we humans think of as a "bad person". However, remember what Scripture says:

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 NKJV

Guess what, that means that as far as God is concerned, you are a "bad person." So, does this then mean that we can continue on the way that we do, just because it's not humanly possible to be perfect (for those of us that are not Jesus)? Um, NO!!! We must endeavor each day to be sinless. Though we are justified by faith, because of our faith, we do works. Through these works, we prove that our faith is genuine. So, today, I'd like to challenge you to really live coram Deo. I'm going to be praying that God gives me a spirit of humility, and submission to His will for my life, so that each day I get closer and closer to righteousness. I'll never get there of my own will, that's for sure. One last Scripture for you to meditate on:

I will cleanse them from all their iniquity by which they have sinned against Me, and I will pardon all their iniquities by which they have sinned and by which they have transgressed against Me. Jeremiah 33:8 NKJV

Just remember, this is God speaking. He will cleanse us, He will pardon our iniquities. But we must acknowledge them first, and we must be willing to let Him do His work within us. Blessings to you!

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photo courtesy of 0 W8ing