Coram Deo

Coram Deo is a Latin phrase that means “before the face of God” or “in the presence of God.” It conveys the idea of living one's entire life in the conscious awareness of God's presence, authority, and glory. 

Theological Meaning

• Living Under God’s Sovereignty:

  • To live "Coram Deo" is to acknowledge that God is sovereign over all of life, and we are accountable to Him in everything we think, say, and do.

• In God’s Presence:

  • It reminds believers that they are always in God’s presence, whether in worship, work, or daily life.

• For God’s Glory:

  • Everything a person does should aim to glorify God, reflecting a life of faith, obedience, and reverence.

Historical and Theological Context

• The phrase is often associated with the Reformation, emphasizing the idea that life is sacred in all aspects, not just in religious or spiritual settings.
• Reformers like John Calvin and Martin Luther highlighted the importance of living a God-centered life, not compartmentalized into "sacred" and "secular" categories.

Practical Application

To live Coram Deo means:

1. Awareness: Always being mindful that God is present and sees all things, ever praying Psalm 139:7-8+.
2. Obedience: Living in submission to God’s Word and will (Deuteronomy 10:12-13+).
3. Integrity: Acting consistently in public and private, knowing you are accountable to God (Colossians 3:23-24+).
4. Worship: Making every action an act of worship, from work to relationships (1 Corinthians 10:31+).

See also The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence - This work is a timeless call to bring God into every moment, to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary through love and devotion, and to live a life marked by peace, joy, and closeness to God (all possible as we practice continually walking in the Spirit - Gal 5:16+). Here are some well known quotes from this book...

• “We ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed.”
• “The most excellent method of going to God is that of doing our common business without any view of pleasing men, and purely for the love of God.”
• “There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual conversation with God.”

Thoughts from The Practice of the Presence of God

1. Living in Constant Awareness of God:

   • Brother Lawrence emphasizes that God is always present (see omnipresence) and that one can communicate with Him continually, not just during formal times of prayer or worship. God's omnipresence should also serve to motivate us to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against our souls (1Pe 2:11+) and instead make holy choices that please and glorify our Father Who art in Heaven! Peter says it this way "if you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each man’s work, conduct (aorist imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) yourselves in fear during the time of your stay upon earth;." (1Pe 1:17+)

2. Spirituality in Ordinary Tasks:

   • He demonstrates how mundane, everyday tasks, like washing dishes or cooking, can become acts of worship when done with Spirit energized love and devotion to God.

3. Simplicity in Faith:

   • Seek God in everything, talk to Him throughout the day, and trust Him fully or to quote the Apostle Paul "Pray without ceasing." (1Th 5:17+)
   • Avoid complex rituals and focus on a personal, intimate relationship with God. But avoid legalism for as Paul says "These are matters Col 2:21-22) which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence." (Col 2:23+)

4. Joy and Peace in God’s Presence:

   • By practicing God’s presence, with a desire toward always walking in a manner worthy of the Lord to please Him in all respects (Col 1:10+), one can experience the fruit of the Spirit joy and peace regardless of external circumstances, as one’s soul is anchored in God. David says it this way in Ps 16:11+ "Thou wilt make known to me the path of life; In Thy presence is fulness of joy; In Thy right hand there are pleasures forever."

5. Selflessness and Humility:

   • Brother Lawrence encourages humility, surrendering one’s will to God, and finding contentment in His will. As Paul describes the secret of contentment writing "Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do (MY RESPONSIBILITY) all things through Him (GOD'S PART) Who (endunamoo - present tense - continually) strengthens me.." (Phil 4:11-13+) (See "Paradoxical Principle of 100% Dependent and 100% Responsible") 

6. Prayer Without Ceasing:

   • He advocates for a life of continual prayer, where one’s thoughts, actions, and words are directed toward God throughout the day. (See the incredible supernatural impact of ceaselessly praying for our brethren the prayer in Colossians 1:9-12+)

Examples of CORAM DEO in Scripture

• Genesis 5:22+ Then Enoch walked with God three hundred years after he became the father of Methuselah, and he had other sons and daughters." The Septuagint renders it "And Enoch was well-pleasing to (euaresteo) God after his begetting Mathusala, two hundred years, and he begot sons and daughters." Notice the Septuagint replaces "walked" with "was well pleasing to." The writer of Hebrews adds "By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for (gar - WHY?) he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing (euaresteo - perfect tense) to God (CORAM DEO REAL-TIME!)." (Hebrews 11:5+) 
• Genesis 17:1+: Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; Walk before Me, and be blameless." The picture is living in God’s presence with integrity. See Daniel-Man of Integrity
• Psalm 16:8+: "I have set the LORD continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 
• 1 Corinthians 10:31+: "Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
• Colossians 1:9-12+ (A PRAYER FOR YOURSELF AND OTHERS TO PRACTICE CORAM DEO) For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please (areskeia) Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

Summary

Coram Deo encapsulates the Christian life as one lived entirely in the presence of God, under His authority, and for His glory. It encourages believers to approach every aspect of life—work, worship, and relationships—with reverence, integrity, and joy in God’s presence.