Because God Is A Self Sending God

Because God is a Self-Sending God: Exploring the Paradox of Divine Intimacy and Transcendence

The concept of God is inherently paradoxical. We grapple with the seemingly irreconcilable aspects of a divine being: infinite and personal, transcendent and immanent, utterly other yet intimately involved in the world. One crucial aspect of this paradox lies in the idea of God as a self-sending God – a God who initiates relationship, who doesn't merely exist passively but actively chooses to engage with creation. This understanding profoundly impacts our comprehension of faith, love, and the nature of the divine.

The Paradox of Divine Transcendence and Immanence

The traditional theological debate centers on God's transcendence – God's existence beyond and above the created order – and God's immanence – God's presence within and active participation in creation. For centuries, theologians have struggled to reconcile these seemingly opposite characteristics. A purely transcendent God remains aloof, distant, and unknowable, leaving humanity isolated and disconnected. A purely immanent God risks losing the unique qualities of divinity, becoming indistinguishable from the created world and thus, ultimately, less than divine.

The concept of a self-sending God offers a powerful resolution to this tension. It acknowledges God's absolute transcendence, emphasizing the radical difference between the Creator and the created. Yet, simultaneously, it affirms God's active engagement with creation, initiating a relationship that bridges the seemingly unbridgeable gap. This self-sending is not a compromise or a dilution of divine nature; it is, rather, a revelation of its very essence. God's love is so profoundly overflowing that it compels a self-giving, a reaching out to creation, an act of self-revelation.

God's Self-Sending as a Divine Act of Love

The self-sending of God is, at its core, an act of agape – a selfless, unconditional love. It's not a love motivated by a need or a deficiency in the divine being, but rather an overflowing, spontaneous act of grace. God chooses to send Himself – not simply a message or a messenger – into the world, entering into relationship with humanity despite our imperfections and failures.

This self-sending is powerfully illustrated in various religious traditions. In Christianity, the incarnation of Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of God's self-sending. God, in the person of Jesus, enters fully into human existence, experiencing vulnerability, suffering, and ultimately death, demonstrating the depths of divine love and commitment. This act is not simply a metaphor; it's a radical intervention into the human condition, a tangible expression of God's self-giving nature.

In other faith traditions, similar narratives can be found. The stories of divine encounters, interventions, and revelations all point to a God who is actively involved in the world, a God who chooses to reveal Himself and engage with His creation. These stories, whether interpreted literally or metaphorically, speak to the fundamental truth of a self-sending God.

The Implications of a Self-Sending God for Human Experience

The understanding that God is a self-sending God has profound implications for our human experience:

• Relationship with God: It shifts the paradigm of our relationship with the divine from one of distant awe to one of intimate communion. God is not an unreachable, unknowable entity; He is a loving, relational being who actively seeks relationship with us. This understanding encourages a personal and engaging approach to faith, fostering a deeper sense of connection and belonging.

• Understanding of Grace: The self-sending of God highlights the grace-centered nature of our relationship with the divine. Our salvation, our redemption, our reconciliation with God – all are initiated by God's own self-giving act. It's not something we earn or deserve; it's a gift freely offered, a demonstration of God's initiative and boundless love.

• Meaning and Purpose: The self-sending of God provides a framework for understanding our own lives and our place in the world. If God actively engages with creation, it implies that our lives are not meaningless accidents; rather, we are created for purpose and relationship with the divine. This understanding can provide comfort, hope, and a sense of direction in a chaotic world.

• Moral Responsibility: While the self-sending of God underscores divine grace, it doesn't negate human responsibility. God's self-giving love calls for a reciprocal response – a commitment to love and justice, to compassion and mercy, to living in accordance with the values revealed in God's self-sending act.

The Self-Sending God and the Problem of Evil

The existence of evil and suffering in the world often poses a challenge to the concept of a loving and all-powerful God. How can a self-sending God allow such pain and suffering? This question has been debated for centuries, and there is no single, universally accepted answer.

However, the understanding of God as self-sending offers a framework for grappling with this problem. God's self-sending doesn't negate the reality of evil; it acknowledges it, confronts it, and even enters into it through the suffering of Jesus Christ. This participation in suffering is not an indication of divine helplessness or indifference; rather, it’s a testament to the depths of divine compassion and a commitment to redemption. It shows that God is not detached from our pain but intimately involved in our struggle, offering hope and redemption in the midst of suffering.

The Self-Sending God and the Mission of the Church

For those who believe in a self-sending God, the church's mission is deeply intertwined with this understanding. The church is called to reflect God's self-sending love in its own actions and ministries. This involves:

• Reaching out to the marginalized: The church's mission is to reach out to those who are excluded, marginalized, and oppressed, mirroring God's own initiative to include and redeem all of humanity.

• Embracing vulnerability: The church is called to embrace vulnerability, acknowledging its own imperfections and limitations while striving to live out its faith in a genuine and authentic manner.

• Living out love in action: The church's mission is not simply about proclaiming a message; it's about living out the message of God's love through acts of compassion, justice, and service to others.

• Witnessing to God's grace: The church is called to be a witness to God's self-sending grace, inviting others to experience the transformative power of God's love and mercy.

The Ongoing Nature of God's Self-Sending

God's self-sending is not a one-time event, but an ongoing process. God continues to reach out to humanity, inviting us into a deeper relationship with Him. This ongoing self-sending is evident in:

• The work of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is the active presence of God in the world, working to draw people to faith and to transform their lives.

• Spiritual experiences: People continue to experience God's presence and guidance through prayer, meditation, and other spiritual practices.

• The ongoing call to mission: The church continues to be called to carry out its mission of proclaiming the gospel and serving others, reflecting God's ongoing self-giving love.

Conclusion: Embracing the Paradox

The concept of God as a self-sending God is a powerful and paradoxical one. It challenges our limited human understanding of divinity and calls us to embrace the mystery of God's love and grace. This understanding allows us to reconcile God's transcendence and immanence, to grapple with the problem of evil, and to live out our faith in a meaningful and purposeful way. It is a call to embrace the ongoing mystery of a God who constantly reaches out to us, inviting us into an ever-deepening relationship of love and communion. By embracing this paradox, we open ourselves to the transformative power of a self-sending God, whose love knows no bounds and whose grace endures forever. The journey of faith is a journey into this profound mystery, a journey of continuous discovery and ever-growing appreciation for the immeasurable love of a self-sending God. This understanding provides a foundation for a vibrant, engaging faith and a life lived in response to the boundless grace of a God who chooses to be with us, always.