Acts 17:28a - God Is The Source Of Our Very Existence. updated

Acts 17:28a: God Is The Source Of Our Very Existence. updated

Acts 17:28a (KJV)  For in him we live, and move, and have our 
being;  

WORD STUDY

[For in him we live] The expression "in him" evidently means by 
him; by his originally forming us, and continually sustaining us. No 
words can better express our constant dependence on God. He is the 
original fountain of life, and he upholds us each moment. (Barnes' 
Notes) 

In the Amplified, Goodspeed, Wey. Auther S.Way and several other 
translations the phrase "IN HIM" means "in union with" - it's kind of like 
substitution & identification Rom.5:12-21 & Rom.6:1-11...This union with 
Christ is a deep and intimate thing. All of the Pauline Gospel revolves 
around this identification with Christ. The phrase IN HIM is found over 
160+ times in Paul's writings.  IN Him..bro-Hal at 
halanna@bellsouth.net 

[And move] It means that we derive strength to move from him; an 
expression denoting "constant and absolute dependence." There is no idea of 
dependence more striking than that we owe to him the ability to perform the 
slightest motion. (Barnes' Notes) 

[And have our being] This denotes that our "continued existence" 
is owing to Him. That we live at all is his gift; that we have 
power to move is his gift; and our continued and prolonged existence 
is his gift also. Thus, Paul traces our dependence on him from the 
lowest pulsation of life to the highest powers of action and of 
continued existence. It would be impossible to express in more emphatic 
language our entire dependence On God. (Barnes' Notes) 

APPLICATION COMMENTARY

The mighty power that works through all nature and sustains all 
things is not, as some men of science claim, merely an all-pervading 
principle, an actuating energy.  God is a spirit; yet He is a personal 
being, for man was made in His image. ED131,2 

God is known in his creation, and he is close to every one of 
us. But he is not trapped in his creation--he is transcendent. God 
is the Creator, not the creation. This means that God is sovereign 
and in control, while at the same time he is close and personal. 
[Life Application SB] 

God has a great purpose for creating men--that men might find and 
know God. [Preacher's  Outline & Sermon Bible] 

Even though God may be unknown to us, he is near and willing to 
reveal himself. God has promised, "You will find me when you seek me, 
if you look for me in earnest" (Jeremiah 29:13). Turning over our 
will involves becoming willing to accept God as he is, instead of 
insisting on creating him in our own image. When we seek God with an open 
heart and mind, we will find him. [Life Recovery SB re step 3] 

Rom 1:20 (NLT)  From the time the world was created, people have 
seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see 
his invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature. So 
they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God. 

If man is the offspring of God, then idols are less than man, 
for idols are made by the mind of man. Man is superior to idols; 
therefore, to worship idols is to degrade the exalted position God has 
given man. If man is the offspring of God, then something created by 
man is less than God. God is above everything man makes. Therefore, 
to exalt the works of man's hand above God is to degrade the 
exalted position of both God and man. [Preacher's Outline & Sermon 
Bible] 

    One of the items in Ripley's Believe It or Not is a picture 
of a plain bar of iron. It is valued at $5. The same bar of iron 
has a far different value, however, if it is fashioned into 
different items. 
        As a pair of horse shoes, it would be worth $50.
        Made into sewing needles, it would be worth $5,000.
        Formed into balance springs for fine Swiss watches, it 
would be worth $500,000. 
    The raw material is not what is important. What's important 
is how the raw material is developed! 
    To each of us has been given talents and abilities--some have 
received more, others less, but all have received some unique gift from 
God. As Christians, we also enjoy spiritual gifts which flow from the 
Holy Spirit of God. 
    The value of these raw materials, however, is moot unless we 
develop and use our talents, abilities, and spiritual gifts as a force 
for divine good in this world. 
    If you don't know what your abilities and gifts are, ask God 
to reveal them to you. Then ask Him to show you what He wants you 
to do with them and begin doing it. Your happiness and success in 
life will be found in fulfilling His plan for your life. [God's 
Little Devotional Bible] 

If this verse is true, and it most certainly is, why do we so 
often disregard God?  Do we treat Him with a token quiet time some 
days?  Do we run to Him in a crisis and ignore Him when things are 
running smoothly?  What we need to understand is that God created the 
earth with His Word; He determines the times and places of each 
person's life;  He knows the number of hairs on our head;  He ordained 
the number of days of each life and wrote them in His book.  What 
would/could the Christian life be like if we were able to live in a 
continuous attitude of prayer with God; if we continuously acknowledged His 
presence; if we remained in an on-going posture of listening for His 
voice.  Be thankful that each day brings new beginning.  Today we have 
the opportunity to start over and make Jesus top priority!  Let's do 
it! [In His Time; Walk With Wisdom]