Years ago, I was given a wood plaque-type carving that had a picture of a little mouse with a small bag of its belongings slung over its shoulder. The inscription that was written out read: “If you don’t feel close to God, guess who moved?”

While that is not a Bible verse, per say, there is a bit of truth woven in that statement (Heb. 3:12; John 6:66). Yes, I realize that our relationship is not based on ‘feelings’, but ‘faith’; and yet, (I don’t know who needs to hear this) let me assure you – IF a person is abiding in Jesus...they will know it!

How can I say such a thing? Well, for starters – we know that in His presence, there is fullness of joy.’ (Ps. 16:11). We know that where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (2 Cor. 3:17). To those who abide in Him, He gives us HIS peace. (John 14:27). In fact, that is how His Spirit leads and guides us...with His peace. (Col. 3:15; Luke 1:79)

Let’s go back and visit the writings of Isaiah, who in chapter 55 was exhorting God’s people, who had strayed, to ‘seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.’ (6) Sounds like something Paul shared in Acts 17:26-27.

He goes on – “Let the wicked forsake his way (yesterday’s post) and the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” (7). This is the heart of God, as we all should well know. (2 Pet. 3:9)

And for those who do indeed, turn (repent) and call upon Him – listen to this promise that awaits: “You shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace.” (12) (and not just after a really good church service either! We are supposed to live, or abide... in this ‘place’.)

Not to be redundant here, but I need to say it again: IF you are abiding in Jesus, you will know it!

And...let’s not forget what Isaiah also points out: “Your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you.” (59:2). Friends, I’ve asked this question before and will ask it again: “When did God change?” (Mal. 3:6)

Sin. Still. Separates. Us. From. God.

You nor I , or anyone else can walk in sin AND walk in God’s peace at the same time. If someone has told you differently, then they lied to you. (Jer. 23 23:16-17; Ezek. 13:10; Deut. 29:19)

So what about that passage in Romans we all like to quote about how “nothing shall separate us from...” (Rom.8:39). That’s a great passage to quote and examine; and if you do, you will notice that he specifies it is the “love of God” that we cannot be separated from. Huge difference here. Sin...still separates us from Him, yet that does not change His love for us. We know that God ‘so loved the world’, correct? (John 3:16). We know that God desires for ‘all men to be saved’. (1 Tim. 2:4). And as I cited the passage already in 2 Pet. 3:9- God is patient not wanting any...to perish but for all to come to repentance.’ But in spite of what God desires and longs for...and regardless of the unfathomable love He has for us, I think you know the answer to this next question: Will everyone be saved and go to heaven? Sounds like a lot of people will find themselves ‘separated from the love of God’ or at least Him. (Matt. 7:13-14; 23)

So it’s obvious that there is a day of separation coming; and for many who still continue to sin, they remain separated from God, despite all the ‘religious activity’ they may be involved with. (Matt. 7:22; 1 Cor. 13:1-3; 2 Tim. 3:5)

Perhaps you have experienced this, or know a parent who has, where a wayward child makes some poor choices and break the law...and end up incarcerated. The fact that they end up behind bars and are ‘separated’ from their parent(s) does not change the love they have for them. And yet, separation came. In the same way, it breaks the heart of our Father in heaven when His children make bad decisions and end up estranged or separated from Him because...of sin. Does the story of the prodigal son come to mind? (Luke 15) As far as that father was concerned in that story, not only was his younger son separted from him, he was ‘dead’ to him.(24) (Also Eph. 2:1-2)

But if we are going to quote Romans 8, why not start with vs. 37 that says “In all things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” To conquer something means we overcome it; and yet...how many sincere believers remain captive to sin, for a host of reasons....but are still told ‘not to worry...God still loves them and nobody is perfect and we all make mistakes.’ IF....we are supposed to be more than conquerors...through Christ...then why do we still struggle with and fall in to sin? Because the consequences of sin has not changed either...the wages of sin is still death (Rom. 6:23). And if we continue to sin, we can expect ‘worse things to happen’. (John 5:14: Col. 3:6). Not to mention we remain slaves, and not children of God. (John 8:34; Rom. 8:14)

And let’s not forget about the story we read yesterday in Matt. 18 where Jesus explained how the kingdom of heaven works, where being ‘wicked’, even for something like not forgiving others, will get us handed over to the ‘tormentors’. (33-35.). That sounds like a bit of ‘separation’ to me.

Is it possible that because of perverted teachings on God’s ‘grace’, that we have been dulled, and even deceived to the dangers of sin? (Heb. 3:13)  It’s not like ‘believers’ are advocating that folks continue to practice sin, nor want to condone it; but at the same time we can begin to look at those ‘consequences’ as being...inconsequential... because of a misconstrued understanding of just how ‘grace’ works. For that person who was bailed out of enormous credit card debt by their wealthy parents, who then told them to ‘go and spend no more’...but don’t worry...I can bail you out again;- how is that messaged received?

Or for the sexually immoral person who hears of an uptick in STD’s (sexually transmitted disease)...is it really a serious concern anymore, at least enough to change their lifestyle if they are told not to worry because a quick shot of penicillin or some other drug will ‘fix it’? And while I’m there on this topic of STD’s, two quick thoughts I’d like to point out. We actually call them ‘diseases’. Any idea where ‘diseases’ come from? Oh, I know...we ‘live in a fallen world’, but the question remains- where do they come from? Care to read Exodus15:26; Deut. 7:15; 28:58-62; & Ps. 103:2-3 and give those some thought?

I know this next point will be scoffed at, but it still needs to be mentioned: If you are a ‘numbers person’ who likes data and percentages, answer me this: What are the odds that a young man and woman who keep themselves pure and ‘save themselves’ for marriage...will come down with some STD over the course of their lifetime (assuming they stay faithful) in comparison to others who choose to ‘explore their sexual freedom’ in a more ‘unrestrained’ manner? I’m pretty sure there is more than enough scientific data out there that would provide some pretty startling facts to be examined, and yet communities get in an uproar when a local school wants to at least include ‘abstinence’ as an alternative or option to be taught in sex-ed classes today. Excuse me? Why would we not at least inform young people of a fool proof way of avoiding STD's?

I find it a bit ironic where today, we hear so much about ‘climate change’ and how "undeniable" scientific data collected from rising ocean temperatures from around the world spell out so much doom and gloom for the planet. (Not hear to debate what is actually causing those rising temps). We hear non-stop that if we don’t do something quickly... something worse is going to happen. The world is demanding we change our lifestyle or else the planet is going to convulse and destroy us all with all kinds of climate-related-hell breaking loose. But when God suggest the same thing (change our lifestyle)...with data to back it up...the world scoffs...and even many in the church pulpits do so as well!!

“You surely won’t die!”, said the serpent to Eve. (Gen. 3:4) Yet look at Paul’s warning in 2 Cor. 11:3-4 and then Rom. 8:13.

“Nothing bad will happen to you if you sin”, cry the false prophets. (Jer. 23:17)

If/when you have some time, take a read through Ezek. 7, 13, and 22. Then Proverbs 1:20-33 before landing on Lamentations 2:14.

Sin...gives place to the devil. (Eph. 4:27) And when that door is cracked open, even though Peter says to be ‘holy in ALL our conduct’ and Paul admonished us to ‘make NO provision for the flesh’ (Rom. 13:14), things can go terribly wrong, and in a hurry. Do you know why? Because sin is always ‘crouching at our door’ ...seeking to ‘seize an opportunity’. (Gen. 4:7; Rom. 7:11). And when that door is opened, we know that the ‘enemy can come in like a flood’. (Isa. 58:19) and we know he comes in to ‘steal, kill, and destroy’ as well as to ‘devour’. (John 10:10; 1 Pet. 5:8)

Friends, when I say this is serious, I am trying my best to not to be accused of using hyperbole or being overly dramatic. But Jesus warned repeatedly of there being great deception in these last days (Matt. 24:4-5,11,24-25) And do you realize what makes us great candidates to be deceived? --> Not having a love for the truth. (2 Thess.2:9-12).

I have no doubt that many man-made doctrines along with false teachings that have been ‘sold’ to countless numbers of sincere but unsuspecting ‘believers’ are no different than someone who purchased counterfeit tickets to the Super Bowl; and what a rude awakening they would be in for when they are denied entrance at the gate, having believed all along that what they bought was legit. (Matt. 7:23). I’m not asking you to believe me on all this – just study it out for yourself and see if the Holy Spirit won’t bear witness to these things. (Acts 17:11)