Consider William Cowper’s hymn from the mid 1700s, “O for a Closer Walk with God.” The third verse surely is not something we can get excited about. “Return, O holy Dove, return, Sweet messenger of rest! I hate the sins that made Thee mourn, and drove Thee from my breast.” We would rather go to Romans 8:38 and declare that our sins cannot separate us from God. How comforting! The truth of that scripture is interpreted in different ways.
Let’s look for a point upon which we can agree? Isaiah 59:1,2 “Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save nor his ear too dull the hear, But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.” So does God leave? Does our sin drive him away? Does he answer our prayers when/if sin separates God from us? How does that separation manifest itself?
Think of this: Moms can generally tell if a child is lying to her. The guilty child does want to come close; she doesn’t want to look mom in the face; she doesn’t want to talk about the problem. But most of the time, if mom still extends her arms and asks for truth, she breaks down in tears and runs into her arms.
The fact is, un-repented sins will cause separation. Can they separate us eternally? Some believe yes; others believe not.
But even if not, I want Him now, today. I want to be held in his arms, drinking from his strength, breathing in his love, covered by his blood, being set free from my sins.
Sweet aroma 
powerful words Oneta!!
thank you for sharing
Thank you, Julie. There is so much possible in knowing Jesus.
Amen 😇
Amen, Oneta! I want Him now, in the here and now. “Just a Closer Walk with thee, grant it Jesus is my plea…” Completely different song I think, but that’s what your post reminded me of.
I also like the pun of “abiding panism.” Just abide in Him and it will all pan out. 🙂
And that reminds me of “Abide with Me.” Another wonderful song I have heard in ages. So many nice words have been written to encourage and let us know “it will all pan-out.” 😀
A-men. dear. Thank God He is with us in and through us to this world as long as we keep with Him short accounts of our naturally sinful nature and humble ourselves and receive forgiveness. I thank God for the reassuring hymn ‘The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead, dwells in me, dwells in me.’ My husband loves to play it. Thank God for the trinitarian nature of our Divine One. Great blog.
“…He shall quicken your mortal body if his spirit dwells in you…” Hey, good. Thanks for the comment.
Yes, un-repented sins cause separation. Repented sins are like a hug from God. I love the imagery here.
Good to hear from you. And thanks for the “amen” – the agreement of the joy of sins forgiven.
Oh yes, sin affects us. “…want Him now, today. I want to be held in his arms, drinking from his strength, breathing in his love, covered by his blood, being set free from my sins.” Amen! I’m so grateful He covers our sins when we confess our need for His forgiveness.
It is a very uncomfortable place to be when I find myself with some “idol” trying to fit itself between me and my Lord. Glad you understand my predicament! And, oh, the great release when dumping it all out in honesty and tears.
It’s best to dump it all out in honesty and tears! He does give me those times to be still and know HE is God!
😀
I always know when I’ve trailed away from God’s path. Everything in me becomes stressed out and out of sync. He never leaves us even when we wonder – I feel that he stays at a distance and allows us our free will to come back.
And the distance generally contains a lot of stuff that causes us to be uncomfortable hopefully. If one gets past be uncomfortable away from God, it is a tragic situation.
Thanks.
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Thank you, dear Jacque. I check in to your features posts occasionally, and have found a few friends there.