Not
Far Away!
Modern technology has given us a very
practical device that has numerous applications. It’s called the
proximity switch (or sensor), which makes a wireless contact when two
elements are within a certain distance of each other. Proximity
switches are used in wireless home security systems to detect when a
window is open that should be closed. They’re used in motion detectors
(e.g., front porches) to turn on a spotlight when movement is detected
within a certain distance.
The biblical adverb “nigh” speaks of
things in ‘close proximity’ to
each other. Its applications include the chronological
(the time drew
NIGH), the physical
(Jesus drew NIGH) and the spiritual
(draw NIGH unto
God). James 4:8 admonishes us: “Draw NIGH to God, and he will draw NIGH
to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye
double minded.”
In another proximity passage, Paul
admonished hearers on Mars Hill:
“That they [all nations
of men] should seek the Lord, if haply they
might feel after him, and find him, though he be NOT FAR from EVERY ONE
of us” (Acts 17:27). Keep in mind Paul was addressing the
heathen,
idol-worshipping intelligentsia of his day. As deep in the tall, dark
weeds as these folks were spiritually, Paul said God was in close
proximity to them (NOT FAR) and was eminently FINDABLE by them. Paul
added: “For IN HIM we [humans] live, and move, and have our being; as
certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his
offspring” (17:28).
From the earliest days of fallen man,
God has made it his business to
get into close proximity with sinners even though the last thing they
desired was to be in close proximity to him. He came looking for Adam
in the Garden. He sought out Cain, and reasoned with him before he
killed his brother Abel.
In Ephesians 2, Paul set forth these
truths: “But now in
Christ Jesus
ye who sometimes were FAR OFF [Gentiles] are made NIGH by the blood of
Christ” (2:13). And again: “And came and preached peace to
you
[Gentiles] which were AFAR OFF, and to them that were NIGH [Israel]”
(2:17).
Inasmuch as ALL men were the subjects
of Christ’s atoning blood, ALL
men by virtue of that blood are made NIGH unto him, NOT FAR from him.
Salvation from sin and eternal life is obtainable by ALL men when by
simple faith they appropriate what God provided for them in the death
and resurrection of his Son.
Perhaps the most agonizing aspect of
the Lake of Fire, where
unbelievers will suffer physical torment forever, will be the mental
anguish of knowing they were in such close proximity TO him before
death and now eternally separated FROM him due to their unbelief and
love of darkness.
The practical side of these
theological truths has to do with the
current American culture and all the dark elements that exist within
it—ANTIFA, BLM, Sodomites, transgenders, Communists, Socialists,
atheists, the amoral and a cadre of corrupt, truth-hating politicians
on every hand.
The great need of revival in America
seems SO FAR AWAY amidst all the
darkness. Yet the scripture teaches us that God is NOT FAR away.
Therefore revival is no farther away than God himself!
The city of Nineveh was darker than
America. Yet God was NOT FAR away.
All he needed was a spokesman to deliver his message of repentance. He
finally got a reluctant prophet named Jonah to do his bidding. When you
think of the darkness engulfing America at this hour, think ‘Nineveh’.
The God that drew NIGH to them in his mercy is NOT FAR AWAY from every
one of us. And if God is NOT FAR from us, then a revival is not as far
away as we might think.
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