SEPARATION OR DISTANCE

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Pearl

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Separation from God is not the same as being distanced from God. The first - separation - is common to all human kind without the cleansing blood of Jesus through whom we can be reconciled to God. The second - being distanced - is of ourselves once we are saved.

We are all separated from God by Sin; but as soon as we receive Jesus and are born again of His Spirit we belong to God, we become His sons and daughters for ever. He will never turn his back on us, although there may be times when we distance ourselves from Him through unrighteous thoughts or actions, but just like the father of the prodigal son He will be waiting with open arms to welcome us back into His presence.
 

Wrangler

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Good thread. Sanctification v Salvation.

The analogy I use is what direction one is facing as a vital component. An evil man with a life time of evil under his belt finally turns to meet his Maker. The distance between him and God is vast. But he is finally facing the right way.

By contrast, a pious man who always did good his whole life and lived close to God for decades, finally gives into temptation to have an affair, turning his back on his Maker. Who do you think God is less pleased with; the man who is far but facing him or the man who is close but does not even have the respect to face him?
 

Pearl

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Separation from God is not the same as being distanced from God. The first - separation - is common to all human kind without the cleansing blood of Jesus through whom we can be reconciled to God. The second - being distanced - is of ourselves once we are saved.

We are all separated from God by Sin; but as soon as we receive Jesus and are born again of His Spirit we belong to God, we become His sons and daughters for ever. He will never turn his back on us, although there may be times when we distance ourselves from Him through unrighteous thoughts or actions, but just like the father of the prodigal son He will be waiting with open arms to welcome us back into His presence.
After God had showed me the difference between separation and distance I read about how Esau forgave Jacob and it is an example to us that we need to be ready to forgive and welcome any among us who may have ended up being distanced from God for a while; going off the rails and 'eating with the pigs' as the prodigal son did. Let's not be like the elder brother.
 
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Eternally Grateful

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Separation from God is not the same as being distanced from God. The first - separation - is common to all human kind without the cleansing blood of Jesus through whom we can be reconciled to God. The second - being distanced - is of ourselves once we are saved.

We are all separated from God by Sin; but as soon as we receive Jesus and are born again of His Spirit we belong to God, we become His sons and daughters for ever. He will never turn his back on us, although there may be times when we distance ourselves from Him through unrighteous thoughts or actions, but just like the father of the prodigal son He will be waiting with open arms to welcome us back into His presence.
Amen

the wage of sin is death (seperation)

We can become seperated from God when we walk away (the prodigal son) but we are still children.. We are no longer alienated 9seperated) and will never be again.
 

Pearl

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Amen

the wage of sin is death (seperation)

We can become seperated from God when we walk away (the prodigal son) but we are still children.. We are no longer alienated 9seperated) and will never be again.
I don't believe that once we are in Christ we can ever be separated from God again but we can be distanced from him by our own actions. Once we are in God's family - in Christ - we are in forever. Because God will never turn his back on Christ whose Spirit is now within us.
 

Ritajanice

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A Born Again can never be separated from Gods Living Spirit, but we can distance ourselves from him, ie...the old mindset of pride, ego, everything of the self...will distance us from hearing God.

But NO we can NEVER be separated from His Spirit, his Spirit indwells our spirit.

My opinion, testimony,belief.
 
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Eternally Grateful

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I don't believe that once we are in Christ we can ever be separated from God again but we can be distanced from him by our own actions. Once we are in God's family - in Christ - we are in forever. Because God will never turn his back on Christ whose Spirit is now within us.
Amen, we were adopted into his family.

Nothing can seperate us from the love of God.
 

Pearl

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A Born Again can never be separated from Gods Living Spirit, but we can distance ourselves from him, ie...the old mindset of pride, ego, everything of the self...will distance us from hearing God.

But NO we can NEVER be separated from His Spirit, his Spirit indwells our spirit.

My opinion, testimony,belief.
Exactly that. God gave me this to share this morning. It was so clear.
 

marks

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I don't believe that once we are in Christ we can ever be separated from God again but we can be distanced from him by our own actions. Once we are in God's family - in Christ - we are in forever. Because God will never turn his back on Christ whose Spirit is now within us.
I think we can feel distant from God, though we are not. If our heart condemns us, we have to deal with that, and if we believe God likewise condemns us, we may feel distant, though we are not.

"For He has promised, I will never leave you nor forsake you." Never! No qualifications here, only, never.

Much love!
 
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Pearl

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I think we can feel distant from God, though we are not. If our heart condemns us, we have to deal with that, and if we believe God likewise condemns us, we may feel distant, though we are not.

"For He has promised, I will never leave you nor forsake you." Never! No qualifications here, only, never.

Much love!
Exactly, even when we turn away from him by our unrighteous thoughts, words or actions He is still there. It is only us who turn away God never does.
 

Ritajanice

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There are so many people who call themselves Christian and yet have not grasped this truth.
A lot of us are still in ignorance I believe, only the Spirit can deliver us from that ignorance,imo.

I was brought up in complete and utter ignorance...God has had his work cut out in me.

And still he remains faithful....we never stop learning and we have the best teacher any could have in their wildest dreams.

The Living Holy Spirit...Praise God.
 
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marks

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Exactly, even when we turn away from him by our unrighteous thoughts, words or actions He is still there. It is only us who turn away God never does.
Which means all we need to do is return our minds to Him, to bring our Father back into focus. The quickest way that happens for me is to remember His love for me.

Much love!
 

Ritajanice

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I think we can feel distant from God, though we are not. If our heart condemns us, we have to deal with that, and if we believe God likewise condemns us, we may feel distant, though we are not.

"For He has promised, I will never leave you nor forsake you." Never! No qualifications here, only, never.

Much love!

How can our heart condemn us if we have been Born Again of imperishable seed?​

A Born Again has a new heart/ spirit within us, ....it’s our old mindset that needs renewing....

We’re not under law we’re under grace.​

Romans 8​

King James Version​

8 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
 
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marks

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How can our heart condemn us if we have been Born Again of imperishable seed?
1 John 3:18-21 KJV
18) My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
19) And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
20) For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
21) Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

Failing to love others in a real way could be one way. Loving others in a real way assures our hearts. If we don't have that love, we may not feel that assurance, and could find ourselves condemning ourselves. Though God isn't bound by our feelings.

Holding on to the truth you hold to prevents us from condemning ourselves, knowing God does not condemn us. Still we are called to love in a real way.

Much love!
 

Ritajanice

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1 John 3:18-21 KJV
18) My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
19) And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
20) For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
21) Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

Failing to love others in a real way could be one way. Loving others in a real way assures our hearts. If we don't have that love, we may not feel that assurance, and could find ourselves condemning ourselves. Though God isn't bound by our feelings.

Holding on to the truth you hold to prevents us from condemning ourselves, knowing God does not condemn us. Still we are called to love in a real way.

Much love!

Romans 8​

King James Version​

8 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord
 

marks

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Romans 8​

King James Version​

8 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Yes, I'm aware of this passage. There is no condemnation, but that doesn't mean your heart cannot condemn you. It's not like God condemning you, that's fully different. If you don't do that, wonderful! There are people who struggle with this.

Much love!
 
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Ritajanice

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Yes, I'm aware of this passage. There is no condemnation, but that doesn't mean your heart cannot condemn you. It's not like God condemning you, that's fully different. If you don't do that, wonderful! There are people who struggle with this.

Much love!
That’s your opinion, I too voiced mine.