SPF 125: Coram Deo – Living Life in the Presence of God

August 8, 2019

Coram Deo is a Latin phrase translated “in the presence of God” that came out of the Reformation. It’s a phrase that summarize the Christian life of living in God’s presence, under His authority, to His honor and glory. Today we are going to talk about how all of life has purpose, what it means to live in God’s presence, and how Coram Deo can bless you every day.

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Coram Deo

Coram Deo is a Latin phrase that means “in the presence of God.” This phrase came out of the Reformation summarizing the Christian life of living in the presence of, under the authority of, and to the honor and glory of God.

God’s Presence

Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? Psalm 139:7

The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Watching the evil and the good Proverbs 15:3

He rules by His might forever; His eyes keep watch on the nations; Let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah. Psalm 66:7

For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the LORD, And He watches all his paths. Proverbs 5:21

great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men, giving to everyone according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds; Jeremiah 32:19

Living in the presence of God for the believer is two fold:

It is a reminder that God is a holy God, whom we fear and have reverence for and that’s where piety comes from – a quality of being reverent – that God is holy, set apart and we honor Him.
God sees us, who He saved us in our wretchedness, and now we are forever bound to Him as His children whom He loves with a never ending affection.

Romans 8:31-39

As we live our lives in the presence of God, we live in light of His authority which are clear and good commands found in Scripture and for His Glory and honor.

Colossians 3:1-4

Coram Deo is really about Christian living.

Coram Deo means we do not compartmentalize our lives between the spiritual and mundane or church and work or faith and the rest of life. Coram Deo means that we are living in the presence of a most holy and wonderful God who created us, that He has given us a standard to live by, met in Christ and now we can practice it too through the power of Christ at work in us, and whatever we do we do for the glory of God. We long to honor God and not ourselves.
Coram Deo also means that the Christian lives a life of integrity. Integrity for the Christian really demonstrates a pattern of consistency.
1. RC Sproul notes that a life of integrity or consistence for a Christian is a life ” lived by principle, not expediency; by humility before God, not defiance. It is a life lived under the tutelage of conscience that is held captive by the Word of God.”

Principle over expediency

That means we live by the fundamental truth as a foundation for our decisions and actions and reasoning verses living a life of convenience and practicality despite it being improper or immoral. It’s sticking with God’s standards rather than convenience.

When we live Coram Deo we live lives that are principled based on the truth of God’s Word and not out of convenience.

Coram Deo in Daily Living

Living in God’s presence means not being judged by the world’s standards – The amazing thing about Coram Deo is that we have the freedom to conform to Christ and not to the world. We are free from conforming the man’s criticisms and scrutiny because we have the Lord’s authority.
Living in God’s presence means mercy – We will sin. We have sinned. But we bring it to the light and receive mercy and forgiveness.
Living Coram Deo gives purpose to the mundane because now matter what we are doing we are doing it for the Lord. That leads to a contented life, a life of thanksgiving and a life that is satisfied in the Lord and not in what we do or become or have.
Living Coram Deo leads to humility and holiness. This is a life that sees God on the throne and we marvel, we’re amazed, we worship with our whole lives. This leads to being living sacrifices as our spiritual act of worship.