So what's the point for us? Simple. When we truly understand God's presence, this takes our passion for purity to new levels. You see, God's presence may be described as "omnipresence" which is a long word bascially meaning that all of God is everywhere present simultaneously! Let's break this down piece-by-piece:
- All of God - In other words, you're not experiencing a "piece" of God's presence wherever you are as you read this blog, and I'm experiencing another "piece" of God's presence as I type it where I am. No. All of God's presence is with you as you read, and all of God's presence is with me as I type.
- Everywhere Present - Simply put: God is everywhere. Check out what the Psalmist says in Psalm 139:1-12. This reminds me of the story I heard of a little boy who was standing by an apple tree one day and looking longingly at the delicious red apples. Then an elderly man approached the little guy and asked him, "Son, I'll get an apple for you if you can tell me where God is." The little boy looked at the man and said, "Mister, I'll get you a whole basket full of those apples if you can tell me where God ain't!" Let me use a double-negative to make the point: God ain't nowhere which means that He's everywhere! And all those who know good English just gringed at this double-negative, but while this statement is "bad English", it's "good theology" because it's true - God is everywhere.
- Simultaneously - Here's the final key word to describe God's omnipresence. All of God is everywhere present simultaneously. You don't have a "piece" of God's presnece with you and I don't have a "piece" of God's presence with me because all of God is everywhere present at the same time or simultaneously. While the idea of God's presence "everywhere" deals more with the idea of space - He's in every place, the idea of God's presence being everywhere "simultaneously" deals more with the idea of time - He's everywhere all the time.
Now, how does all this relate to what Josesph says to Potiphar's wife in Genesis 39:9 and the issue that there's no such thing as "secret sin"? Easy. Joseph knew that even if Potiphar never found out about his act of immorality with his wife, he knew he was always in God's presence. Of course, this is what David also said when he confessed his sin of adultery with Bathsheba and said to God in Psalm 51:4a, "Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight" (NIV). While we may try to classify some sins as "public" and others as "private", all sins are "public" as far as God's concerned because He sees them all.
Of course, this truth of God's presence is a practical insight because it encourages us to pursue pruity in every area of life. It helps us focus on having true character and integrity. You know, it's been well-said that character is who you are when no one is looking. Well, we know God is always "looking" because He's omnipresent. So knowing that we're always within His sight urges us to live consistent lives of holy character regardless if other people see us or not. In fact, Hebrews 4:13 says, "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account" (NIV). It's pretty clear: There's no such thing as "secret sin" because there are no "secrets" as far as God's concerned - He sees everything!
So the next time you think you're "alone" and you're tempted to sin, just remember: Jesus is there because you're always in His presence. Let the fact that He sees and knows everything because He's everywhere fuel your passion for personal holiness. This is the "practical" aspect of this practical insight!
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