Immanent
Immanent (not "imminent") means indwelling, existing within, operating within or inherent. For example: inherent beauty is not something imposed but something immanent. It means being within the limits of possible experience or knowledge - in contrast to transcendent.We've looked at God's Transcendence - that God's glory, might, power and knowledge are beyond our grasp and control. We can't comprehend Him, control Him, or predict what He will do, but, in the mystery of His mercy, He reveals Himself to us. He walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden. He met with Moses in the Tabernacle. He revealed His character in the Law and used nature to display His power, majesty and generosity. He spoke through the prophets and then, in the ultimate act of love, He took on our flesh and came into our world and chose to die rather be separated from us by our sin. Then He chose to take our humanity into heaven and into the Godhead and then He sent His Holy Spirit into our hearts.
Paul puts it so beautifully in Colossians: "To them (the saints) God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Col.1:27)
Elsewhere Paul reminds us: "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? (1Cor3:16)
Jesus painted a picture the Pharisees couldn't grasp - God's Kingdom is not here or there - it is IN us. It meant that the Transcendent God is amazingly and mysteriously Immanent.
| Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you." (Luke17:20) |
