Absence So Intense

The presence of God is felt, so is His absence. No God, does not leave no thing. It leaves more than a void. Think in terms of a black hole. No God is an absence so intense that it pulls from everything present.

The absence of God is not the null set. Without God we’re working in the minus. This minus subtracts from anything positive. It’s like removing air, all living things will die. So yes, when God departs, it is felt. Not only are we without, but our being is diminished, and is in a diminishing state.

God’s essence is our nature. Remove essence and our very nature is adversely affected.

Sin isn’t fully realized or appreciated until God is gone. This leaves us with the pain of sin and the pain and turmoil of being without God. This rude awakening to the harsh realities of sin is too much to bear and enough of a shock to cause the child of God to regret, remorse and repent.

We have a loving God, one that wants all of His children to come back to Him in truth, righteousness and faith. Our remorse and repentance, our acceptation of Christ as our Savior and His grace are sufficient for our redemption and God’s return.

This is why James says we should, “count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” (James 1:2-4).

Through trials are we made aware of our rough edges and of our shortcomings. This awareness is a kind of crossroads, where we must decide who and what to follow.

James goes on to say that if we, “endureth temptation” we will, “receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” (James 1:12)

In both statements by James, patience and endurance are key.

Sin separates us from God, but in so doing it prepares us for God. I know, it sounds kind of strange. The punishment of sin and the isolation from God serve as a wake-up call. This small taste of death is enough to turn around any child of God. Fortunately, we have a gracious God and offers us a way back to Him.

No one wants to go through the pain and isolation of sin. Having the experience of sin and no God will cause us to 1) Not repeat that sin. 2) Be cognoscente of sin. 3) Understand and avoid causes for sin. 4) Prevent sin by staying in the Word of God. 5) Staying committed to worship, prayer and praise.  6) Love God and our neighbor.

Sin is the wall that separates us from God. God is righteous. Righteousness cannot commingle with unrighteousness because it wouldn’t be righteousness anymore if it did. This is why we have a mediator in Jesus Christ. Because of the price He paid, Jesus is now our link, the bridge over the wall of sin, our go between God and us, righteousness and unrighteousness.

Sin separates us from God. That separation is felt and affects us adversely. Jesus is our covering for sin and the only way back to the Father.

Bill Hitchcock