Separated
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Psalm 103:2
“Separation from God.”
This is how a teacher described hell to one of our children many years ago. Of course this is accurate. However, we were new believers and our children had limited Bible knowledge. ”Separation” didn’t sound so bad.
As I look at the current state of the nation regarding its attitude toward Christianity, the more I see how desperately we need to understand what it means to be separated from God.
The being of God is very difficult to capture in a few words. Jesus, though, gave us a statement that will set us on the right path: “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6).”
As “The Way” to the Father we hear that Jesus will set us in a right direction to God. Only if we follow Him, through faith, will we have access to God and therefore to the Holy Spirit (who is also God). Without God’s Way, we do not know right from wrong. We may have a worldly view of it, but not a God-honoring view.
Jesus points out that He is “The Truth.” Jesus gave us truth in leaving us His written Word. He also spoke truth, and He is Truth. There is no other source for truth that will bring salvation for eternity but also the fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control).
This truth is the source for us to understand how to judge the goodness or evil of what we see happening around us. There is a darkness setting in. As our government schools teach, and people accept, more and more of what is politically correct (sexual practices at a young age, definitions of marriage and family as “whatever you make it,” “gender-fluidity,” abortion as a “woman’s body so a woman’s choice,” the hatred of Christianity and Christians, etc.) this darkness is permeating our culture.
Jesus further said that He is “The Life.” 1 John 1:4 says “that Life was the Light of men.” Jesus illuminates our lives. We live because His “Light” gives us Light to live by. It allows us to see the path that He directs us to go on. “In Him there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5).”
The more separated we are from God, the greater the darkness as we drift away from the Light. Some days it looks really dark out there. Some days I am tempted to despair. But God has given us hope!
He says: For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. Habakkuk 2:14. This truth is repeated in Isaiah 11:9.
My prayer for today’s Christian is that we will look to the One who is our Way, our Truth, and our Life so we will be bold and courageous and not lose heart. That when we see the wickedness in the darkness, we will trust God to direct our path to the Way He would have us face it.
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:3
I feel comforted when I look to Him. He leads the way and is with us on all paths. Great message.
Thanks Melissa, We are blessed to have such a Comforter!”
Beth, John 14:6 is one of my all-time favorite Scriptures. I think because it is a good definition of eternity. Truth and Christianity are exclusive. Without belief that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, heaven and hell will not be understood, but misrepresented. Thanks for a good word.
Yes, darkness is so pervasive and we need to shine brightly for God because the end is coming and many will be separated forever from Him!
We do need to shine brightly! Should He tarry, I would love to see more of His light in this life!
Karen, I had not thought about it that way – heaven and hell are misrepresented. More motivation to teach Truth! Thanks for commenting.
The verse you quote in Habakkuk 2:14 bubbles up yearning in me for that day! “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.”
But as we also saturate ourselves in Him and with His word, we can be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the seas. I see this as our salvation amidst the darkness of which we live.
Wonderful insight, Beth!
We are called to shine the light of God to draw others out of the darkness
Indeed, Yvonne, Let your Light shine! I am grateful for all the “lights” our God has around His world.
I love that verse, Marcie, It is the Victory we await! Thanks for the encouragement!
I love this: “The more separated we are from God, the greater the darkness as we drift away from the Light. Some days it looks really dark out there. Some days I am tempted to despair. But God has given us hope!”
You shine, Beth! God bless!
I love all 3, Beth: the Way, Truth, and Life. Well, Light too! I love the clarity and confidence we can have about our salvation and eternal home, and our daily direction and decisions. I love the peace we have as we continue on in our journey and the understanding we can have when we encounter viewpoints and pressures from the darkness in this world. Thank you for this reminder and encouragement.
Thanks you, Stephen, for reading and commenting.
Thanks, Nancy! May God bless you as well!
I love your words here: “The more separated we are from God, the greater the darkness as we drift away from the Light.” It’s true. For me, I’m looking to God to point the way.
So grateful for our God who will “Light our paths!” Thanks for commenting, Jessica.
So true. From the perspective of an unbeliever, separation from God is not a problem and is often not a motivator for salvation. 🙁
Right, Ava. When my son heard it he didn’t think that sounded so bad!
Thanks Marcie, May Christ be praised!