Inseperable

Opening Reading

Matthew 27:51 NRSV

At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split.

Recently I have experienced times of tremendous difficulty. In these moments, I prayed to God and I said very simply and plainly God I simply cannot do this and that dark and difficult moment I felt a very strong presence of God speaking clearly to me and said “Finally we've got that out-of-the-way now let me help you” (God).

Before this moment, Jesus taught a parable that would prepare those then and to this very day and for every day until such time that Jesus returns to collect his faithful exactly what it meant for that curtain to be torn within the temple.

Matthew 18:23–35 NRSV

“For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

Why is it that we remember with difficulty, and without difficulty forget? Learn with difficulty, and without difficulty remain ignorant? Are diligent with difficulty, and without difficulty are indolent? Does this not show what vitiated nature inclines and tends to by its own weight, and what help it needs if it is to be delivered? Inactivity, sloth, laziness, negligence, are vices which shun labor, since labor, though useful, is itself a punishment.

Augustine of Hippo

Christ and his cross are not separable in this life; howbeit, they part at heaven’s door. There is no storage place for crosses in heaven.

Samuel Rutherford

Three Things which cannot be seperated regardless of how hard anyone may try.

This is not an exhaustive list however it is a very good starting point and as Christ followers, if there is anything missing in this list, it is impossible to move any further in our faith.

1. Any of the “Great Commandments”

Jesus issued the great commandments to those who desired to know how to inherit the kingdom of Heaven when he issued these great commandments, they were not in all the cart menu, and none of them were jointly and severally liable to each other all almost happened because a heart that is touched by the Holy Spirit to eliminate nothing that which God command.

2. YOU from the presence of God

If you ever feel that you have been separated from the grace and presence of God, you are mistaken, and in fact, there is only one person who can actually say that they have been separated from the grace and presence of God and that is Jesus Christ God in the flesh himself.

Matthew 27:46 NRSV

And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

3. Anyone from the grace of God.

There is nobody, I repeat nobody that whom God has forsaken and written off and created for the purpose of destruction. This means anybody who you see, regardless of what you may think or feel about them is eligible and worthy of God's grace if we come back to number one. This means that they are also worthy of your grace. Jesus speaks clearly about this and the parable of the unforgiving servant.

***I recognize that this can bring about some theological questions which have been debated for many years, but I also urge you to not get stuck in that argument because we are not God, and there are simply some questions to which we shall not receive the answers because if we spend more time looking for those answers, we have wasted our time, focusing upon the goodness of who God is***

Titus 2:11–12 (NRSV)

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all,

training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly,

Conclusion:

We all owe a debt which we can never pay. Fortunately, Jesus paid it all.

Are you building a veil to replace the one which Jesus Caused to be torn?

We are inseparable by any means from the outcome of what happens and our conduct while we are given the grace of time upon this earth. It is my prayer that each one of us hear the beautiful words well done, good and faithful servant.

And remember when you say to yourself, you just can't do this. You are right. It is by God's grace, though by which you will