Truth On Fire

Site Search:

P.O. Box 432    |    Spring Hill, TN  37174    l    (904) 200-1671

Home  |  Gospel  |  Pastor's Pen  |  Doctrinal  |  Calvinism  |  About

Closing the Distance

Whoever wrote the original line “Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder!” was never on the receiving end of a ‘Dear John’ letter. Tens of thousands of military men can attest to the fact that distance between sweethearts is just as likely to cause estrangement as endearment. 

In the biblical narrative, distance became a factor early on between the First Couple, Adam and Eve. Satan waited for the opportune time to tempt Eve. It was when there was distance between them that he took the occasion to pitch to Eve the ‘virtues’ of disobedience. After the distance between them was closed, Eve shared her experience with Adam. It was then he realized that the PHYSICAL distance between them had translated into SPIRITUAL distance. 

It was then Adam had a critical choice to make. “Do I close the distance between Eve and myself and cast myself upon the mercy of God, or do I cut her loose?” We know how the story ended. Adam joined his wife in disobedience, so that by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and death, both spiritual and physical, passed upon all men (Romans 5:12). 

The story of Jesus coming into world to save fallen men from sin and death is the story of God closing the distance between himself and sinners. He sojourned on earth for 33 years, tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15).  

On the cross, Jesus the God-Man became sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him (2 Corinthians 5:21). The act of faith in Jesus on the sinner’s part enables God the Father to close the distance that sin created, making him a son. 

The scripture teaches us that Satan, like a roaring lion, roams about the earth seeking for believers he might devour (1 Peter 5:8). The most vulnerable are those in whose lives he’s managed to create distance with the scriptures. Those believers who spend a portion of every day devouring the word of truth are the least likely to be devoured by the enemy. It’s a matter of devouring or being devoured!

At some point, all of us sinners shall die. Death creates distance between the soul and the body. For the believer, however, death closes the distance between him and the Lord Jesus. For to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, which is far better (2 Corinthians 5:6-8; Philippians 1:23). 

Distance can be a friend or a foe. Let’s make it a point in life to create and close distances in all the right places. One day soon, Jesus is going to close forever the distance between himself and his Church. Are we ready?

Top

Copyright and Contact Statement