Bridging The Distance

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness." - Genesis 1:1-4 ESV

God created distance first then He made light to bridge the distance. That light was then divided in a way that created a means to note the passage of time.

Creation was made out of nothing to be a place of choice... near and far... night and day. God approves and approves until mankind disobeys and sides with a negative point of view.

"And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world - he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him." - Revelation 12:9 ESV

It seems that God made this great distance (in part) so the He could put Angelic iniquity far away from Himself. But He also made it so that there could be nearness.

We were not made to be far away from God or each other but we are aren't we? Light bridges the gap between the small and the large. It brings the far away thing close.

"Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called 'the uncircumcision' by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands - remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility." - Ephesians 2:11-16 ESV

Grace does something for us spiritually. We become connected and incorporated while still retaining the distance of identity. We are no longer cut off but we are still ourselves. It is amazing... really.

For the moment evil is close but it will be made to be far away on it's journey downward. Earth was just the first stop on that journey. Things are going to keep breaking here to make room for that passage.

John the Babtist said this...

"Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire." - Matthew 3:10-12 ESV

The barn is near and protected.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation." - 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 ESV

Ministry brings people nearer and puts evil outside so it can continue it's journey at a distance.

"But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen." - Jude 1:20-25 ESV

Oh God... please make us creative gatherers. Distance is a funny thing. It grows when we aren't looking. Thank you for people who are joined by love and mercy so that a bond has formed. Make us to be gatherers and not scatterers. Thank you for gathering us from far away places and drawing us close to Yourself.

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