What separates us from God and Jesus Christ?

By: Ron Barnes

 

Obviously, a great distance separates us from God. It is written that humans are made in the image of God. Does God look like us? Do we act like God? Well that’s a no brainer question. Do we think like God? Likewise this is a no brainer. Hopefully no one in his or her right mind would consider being on the same level as God the Father. Face it, man and woman could never compare to the omnipotent and omniscient Christian God. The Christian concept of Penance, Atonement or Forgiveness for our sins is one that is ambiguous for most people to understand. It is also one important thing that separates us from God. I am often amazed at the depth of God’s forgiveness and God’s ability to give salvation to every person who simply and sincerely asks God in prayer. In conversation with a friend I was asked the following questions regarding the issue of penance.

• “What about people that have sinned all of their life? Can they be saved and go to heaven?”
• “What about people that ask for forgiveness on their death beds but throughout their life showed no remorse for unchristian behavior?”
• “How can God forgive unquestionable sin?”

There is often confusion among Christians regarding entering the Gates of Heaven as it relates to the forgiveness of sins. I believe the desire to go to heaven is what motivates many Christians to live a Christian life.

Romans 3 states:

21 But now, irrespective of law, the righteousness of God has been disclosed, and is attested by the law and the prophets, ²²the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction, ²³since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; ²⁴they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, ²⁵whom God put forward as a sacrifice of atonement by his blood, effective through faith. He did this to show his righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over the sins previously committed; ²⁶it was to prove at the present time that he himself is righteous and that he justifies the one who has faith in Jesus.

This is one of the reasons God sent Jesus Christ as our savior. Through Jesus Christ, by the Grace of God, all of us have the potential for everlasting life in heaven, regardless of our lifestyle on earth. I think most people tend to complicate this issue when it is a very simple concept and blessing God bestows upon us as Christians. Think about it. If God punished us for our sins then he and Jesus would be in Heaven by themselves. It would be a lonely place for God and Jesus.

God does not hold grudge. God has love for all men and women. The degree of God’s love for his children on earth is boundless. I, like other human beings on earth find it difficult to “wrap my mind” around God’s degree of love for his children. How easy is it for us to forgive? How easy is it for us to open our hearts to others regardless of race, religion, creed, color, gender or sexual orientation? God does not discriminate in these areas. Certainly this type of love among humanity is uncommon, if at all present. Salvation through faith in God is given to us without reservation. I believe it is for us to be eternally grateful for God’s gift. If we don’t fully understand the gift, we should graciously accept it without question or judgment.

Note: The views in articles, blog posts, and opinion pieces are specific to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of McCormick Theological Seminary or The Herald.