God and Jesus are with us

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Jesus was born to fulfill God’s promise to save us from our sins.  Many see Jesus as a moral teacher and a prophet.  But God wants us to see him as Immanuel, God with us.  
What does it mean to have God with us as we continue to live in this present world?  It would mean that believers live in two realities at the same time.  And these two realities do not get along!  On the one hand, we are living in this body and world of sin, suffering, and death.  On the other hand, we also live in a new reality that has begun—the Kingdom of Heaven, the new creation, God with us!  
It also goes without saying which of these realities will have the final word.  God’s Kingdom will triumph over all.  That being so, what would it mean to have God and his Kingdom with us, while we are still surrounded by sin, death, and sorrow?  It would mean at least three things.    

First, eternal life is yours amid death.  As long as this present age persists, death continues to haunt our lives.  But now that God is with us, we have eternal life.  This heavenly life does not depend on our bodies being healthy, our feelings being upbeat, or our circumstances being ideal.  This life is Jesus (Jn. 14:6, Col. 3:4).  As long as Jesus lives, you live (Jn. 14).  And having defeated death, Jesus will never die again (Rom. 6:9).  This means you will live, even though your body dies (Jn. 11:25).  It also means your body will be raised to life on the Last Day (1 Cor. 15:53, 54).   
Second, now that God is with you, you have righteousness amid sin.  God gives you the righteousness of his own Son.  Jesus lived his life for you so that his righteousness might be yours.  First Corinthians 1:30 declares: “And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification…”  Therefore, there is no more condemnation for you in Christ (Rom. 8:1), even though you still sin in this life (Rom. 7:18, 19).  You live in the awareness that God is well pleased with you for Jesus’ sake (Mt. 3:17)!      
Thirdly, you have joy amid sorrow (Gal. 5:22).  God with us is like a wrench in the machinery of death.  Death no longer works so well!  Gone are the days when it can only elicit sorrow and despair.  Now laughter and songs of praise can be heard breaking out of the old beast.  God has entered the fray with us.  He is for us.  Life amid death and righteousness amid sin call forth joy in spite of suffering.  God’s joy is not earthly joy.  It does not require favorable living conditions to exist.  It is the result of God coming to us in his Son, saying: “I am with you.  I will take care of you.  Do not be afraid.  Trust me.”  
So this is the greatest gift of all: God’s future world came to us, wrapped up in one child, one life.  God’s total forgiveness of your sins is yours in Jesus.  Every spiritual blessing is yours in him (Eph. 1:3).  Now you lack nothing.  God is with you.  He is committed to your wellbeing.  He will take care of you.  Trust him.