For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)
Nothing has the power to separate us from God’s love in Jesus.
- Not bad religion…
- nor fundamentalism…
- nor dogma…
- nor polity…
- nor hypocrisy…
- nor judgmentalism…
- nor legalism…
- nor prejudice…
- nor my sin…
- nor anything at all that we utilize to create walls between us.
TRAVEL: Sometimes the best words about a travel experience turn out to be a few good pictures.
While it did rain pretty much all weekend in Tennessee, I did manage to capture a series of beautiful photographs. So I’ll highlight just a few representative images (fifteen) in the short slide-show below.
This particular weekend, as I mentioned in yesterday’s blog, was characterized by such diversity that the spiritual focus was all over the map, from “I’ve been a down-the-line Methodist all my life,” to “I’m a recovering Baptist,” to “I’m not sure I could call myself a Christian at the moment,” to everything in between.
BURNED: Some of the men had been so badly burned by the harsher interpretations of “evangelical” Christianity that they had moved a “safe distance away” even from Jesus.
However, just about everyone at the retreat was in attendance because they knew that the choice to do what’s necessary to move closer to God was/is undoubtedly the most important decision they need to be (or are in the process of) making.
they knew that the choice to do what’s necessary to move closer to God was/is undoubtedly the most important decision they need to be (or are in the process of) making.
This “spirituality” thing is a journey. It’s not cookie-cutter and it’s not ever formulaic. But the journey is critically important. And, no matter where you are in the process this Monday morning, then there is a positive step forward, or two, that you can make today.
Always reading, always praying, always learning – DEREK
- Comment Policy: ”Please stay positive with your comments. If your comment is rude, it gets deleted. If it is critical, please make it constructive. If you are constantly negative or a general [rear-end], troll, or hater, you will get banned. The definition of terms is left solely up to us.”
Derek:
Testing the water again…
Nothing has the power to separate?
Even mans lowly power not to accept? Not to have faith? Unless I’m amiss …there is a school of thought that you CAN loose your salvation:
“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.
For the earth which brings in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.” (Hebrews 6:4-8)
I find it hard to accept that person can be saved then turn about and do every vile thing he wishes and still be in good grace with God.
Man has the power to separate himself from God.
Still your Pal,
Tim
You’re right, Tim, people always have the power to say “I don’t want you,” to God; that’s the whole free will thing. I love the Romans 8 reminder that nothing else has the power to separate us from God’s love through Jesus. I’m confident that that plays out in experience. It sure does sound crazy that anyone would want to miss out on God’s love… but I believe people do opt out quite often; different strokes…
I am not sure anything can separate us from the redemptive love of God. David in Psl 139 said that God went to the depths of hell to find him. I know personally that wherever I went God was there with open arms. Once we know Him we can never return to ungodliness forever. “Who knows the heart of man?” God.
Derek,
Glad you are back home safe and sound. My 2 cents come from where we find God. In one of the worship meetings I am involved at Celebrate Recovery, everyone has their story. BTW, CR is sometime misconstrued that it’s just for those who have alcohol, and or drug problems. Nothing could be further from the truth. What I have come to find is that it is there for those folks who have been hurt by a church or a person(s), have bad habits whatever they may be, or have a hang up they cannot get over under their own power. The ONLY thing that is available to crush those demons, is realizing what Jesus did for us at the cross, and getting over ourselves, and our self importance, and getting involved in a community with people who trust the Lord.
He offers forgiveness to every one of us, so how can we in turn, not forgive? Giving to others, putting them first, and falling down on our knees, repenting, and asking Him into our lives.. Once you knock, you will find Jesus was telling the truth, and he enters into communion with us, and he gives God’s gift of grace through faith, just like He said He would. It’s the most awesome experience one can have, and I pray those who are searching and are lost, find that to be true as well. It’s the best thing to know you know, He is now in charge.
One other thing I was missing, because of my laziness, was doing the work myself, by reading God’s instruction manual. The more I read, the more it makes sense. Well, that might have been 3 cents worth Derek.
Peace in Christ,
Gary
That’s a good comment, Gary. Thanks – D