In a discussion about osas I received this response:
Sin separates us from God before we are redeemed. Now that you are redeemed and restored back into fellowship with God as your Father, what kind of Father is your God - that he would separate you from Him the first moment you commit a sin - and/or if you do that just before you die?
There are a couple of things that strike me about this persons answer to you the biggest is how he seems to try and break everything down to “Black and White” - “Sin and Perfection”. He does not seem to be allowing any room for God’s mercy.
I am reminded of a quote from St Catherine of Sienna about how we choose our destination when we die. (I have it in the book “The Fulfillment of All Desire”)
Basically God is telling Catherine that, as christinas we are to progress in Holiness and work toward the perfection of Love of God and neighbor. The degree to which we achieve this perfection at our death causes us to do one of two things.
The person who has become “perfected” in Love, will reach out to that Love and immediately be drawn into heaven
The person who has not been perfected in Love will reach out for God’s mercy and forgiveness. This person will be immediately drawn to purgatory to complete their perfection.
This is the case for the True Christians.
Those who have not committed themselves to the Love of God and neighbor, those who are worldly, those who are sinful, will reach out and embrace that sin as their own and fall immediately into damnation. It will be by their choice and not God’s that they are condemned.
These choices are made by the “heart” of who we are, by the very real choices we make during our lives that are either “For” or “Against” the Love of God.
With this in mind,let’s take a look at how to answer these questions:
*Sin separates us from God before we are redeemed. Now that you are redeemed and restored back into fellowship with God as your Father, what kind of Father is your God - that he would separate you from Him the first moment you commit a sin - and/or if you do that just before you die?
Are you able to be perfect and never sin once you receive Christ? If so, have you never sinned since becoming a Christian? Do you think God has those bases covered? (maybe better said, your back covered?) Do you believe what He said, “He who has begun a good work in you will see it to completion?”*
Yes sin seperates us from God - both before and and after we are “redeemed” for sin is something that, by definition, is contrary to God. The question is not one of whether sin seperates us, but whether that sin will condemn us.
When we sin, as Christians, should we not repent? Should we not confess to God our sin and ask his forgiveness? Should we not bemoan our own weakness in betraying the great Love given us by God by Baptism?
Yes sin seperates us - but true repentance restores us.
Repentance is the key. Repentance along with a commitment to “sin no more” is the way back to God from the state of “sin” which is a turning away from God.
- Would you send your child to hell for eternity or somewhere in limbo (purgatory) the moment he/she sinned after believing and receiving Christ? *
This seems to ba a confused question. I cannot send my child to any of these places. Only God can do that. So this is a matter between God and His Child.
*What does the scriptures say about this and how are we to understand the the heart of God correctly concerning these grave issues? *
I am not a great “Chapeter and verse” man so I will only say this.
Jesus taught us that we must repent, and then act in accordance with that repentance. He taught a plan of salvation based upon the first two commandments - Love of God and Love of neighbor. Since we will act in accordance with what we truly believe, the Bible verse that says “you will know them by their Love” probably sums it up the best.
If you sin after baptism, you sin against the Love of God. If you sin against the Love of God and do not repent, you are seperating yourself from God.
Sorry if this is a bit disjointed.
Peace
James
