Separation
I’m guessing it’s not like this for everyone, but I learn a lot about my relationship with God through my marriage and through parenting.
Emily left for a couple of days to visit with her parents. Don’t worry. I’m a big boy. I can fend for myself. There’s plenty to grill while she’s gone.
The crazy thing is she was only gone less than a day, and I was already feeling emotional about not being with her. Those that know me know that Emily and I are more than husband and wife — she’s my best friend. I can’t imagine doing life without her. And, that’s why when we’re not together, it impacts me emotionally. Among other things, I get very mopey.
As I was beginning to come to grips with how this temporary separation was impacting me mentally and emotionally (and apparently even spiritually), God reminded me of the separation Jesus taught about when he was on Earth:
“But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world…’” (Matthew 25:31-34)
Jesus is talking about the future. A separation is going to happen. Some people will be separated from God’s presence. If I feel the way I do after being separated from my wife for less than a day, what might this separation from God be like?
Then Jesus concluded this portion of his teaching by talking about the length of this separation. He said, “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life” (Matthew 25:46). According to what Jesus taught, this separation lasts forever. There is no second chance at that point.
I think some people are sometimes frustrated with me because I’m so focused on reaching people who are outside the faith. They want me to be more intentional about helping Christians take steps in their faith. Helping Christians grow is important, but it’ll never be my priority. My passion and motivation will always be giving people an opportunity to respond to the Gospel. The thought of someone experiencing eternal separation from God compels me to do whatever it takes short of sin to reach people who don’t have a relationship with Jesus.
If you’ve ever wondered what drives everything I write about and everything I do, now you know.
The last conference I went to, separate from my husband, brought about the same emotions and the same thoughts, and this is exactly the thought when people start talking about what heaven or hell is “like” — we don’t know what life without God’s presence would be like, because He’s here. Even on our worst days.
I guess our difference is, I’m focused on getting believers to see that picture so that they have the motivation. I want them to not be so focused on what they “get” by being saved and be more focused on what others will miss.
I think we’re both designed this way, and that’s a great thing.
My husband Chris and I stayed at your home for a couple days during Launch. I was impressed by Emily’s gift of hospitality and her desire to use your home to reach those who really need it. As we were having breakfast she shared her passion for the fellow soccer moms with whom she shares the sidelines.
I love this post, and the graceful words you use to explain your passion for the lost. My husband and I love to live in community with those who have not seen faith in action. It is our joy to share ourselves with them so they can see the work of Christ, experience the love of Christ, and prayerfully, choose it for themselves.
Wow…I love this! I never thought about it like this, but it makes so much sense. I don’t like being away from my husband, Kevin, either. My passion to reach the lost is so immense. Sometimes I want to run out on the street & just talk to everyone.
Great blog post!
I’m thankful for CHRIST in you! Blogs like this, I bet, will reach people man that you’ll never know until we enter forever together! Thank You for posting this! I pray GOD Blesses you today in ways only HE can…just because HE’S GOD!
Just a slight critique of your approach here. As you know right before the passage you use here, Jesus also teaches that salvation is based on
How we treat the hurting and broken and that judgment will be based on that. Now my point is you shouldn’t use the passage you did without talking about what comes before it. Most Christians would disagree with Jesus on the first part of the passage of they were honest and I’ve seen a lot of preachers explain their way around this text.
I don’t think
Jesus is telling us that he’ll should be our motivation for spreading the Gospel. And I think Jesus continually makes it clear that there will be a lot of surprise on
Judgment day. I believe salvation is only through Christ but I’m not sure how it will all okay out on judgment day and this passage is an example of that.
I love your heart for evangelism but I’m not sure this is
And with that said. I love that you are a passionate evangelist and that the Spirit has gifted you in this way. We need more courageous evangelists who will have the heart of Paul for those outside the faith. I am challenged by your focus and am thankful that we have people like you in the body to put Jesus the evangelist on display.
Good word, Tony. I get that same mopey feeling when I am traveling without my family. Great reminder that all of creations “yearns” for that connection.
You have your priorites exactly right.
The Holy Spirit is more than capable of handling our “Christian growth” (sanctification)
But the gospel needs to be constantly proclaimed. So that people can hear it (“faith comes by hearing”)
And those already in Christ need to be kept in Christ. There is spiritual warfare going on constantly. The world, the flesh, and the devil are after us. But with Christ on our side we cannot be defeated.
Tony, your comments on your focus on those outside of faith was exactly what I needed this morning. I was struggling with that focus just yesterday, wondering if our church should have a stronger emphasis on the here and now for those who are here and I kept coming back to the focus needs to be on eternity and wehre our community will spend it, not on how contented the people connected to our church happen to be. I may not be articulating that just right, but when I read your comments the Holy Spirit reminded me that is the most important thing! Thanks for sharing that!