The Apostle Paul emphatically declares in Romans 8:35-39 that nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. This includes tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, sword, death, life, angels, demons, the present, the future, any powers, height, depth, or anything else
. However, while external circumstances cannot separate us from God's love, there are spiritual and personal factors that can create a sense of distance or separation from God:
- Our own will : When our will is not aligned with God's will, and we insist on our own desires contrary to His good and perfect plan, this can distance us from Him. God desires that we love Him freely and submit to His will
- Sin : Sin, defined as disobedience to God's Word or "missing the target," separates us from God spiritually. It is through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ that this separation is resolved
- Fascination with the world : Loving worldly things such as riches, fame, or other cultural attractions can draw us away from God, as the Bible warns that loving the world is incompatible with the love of the Father
In summary, no external force or circumstance can separate us from God's love, but personal choices-sin, resisting God's will, and attachment to worldly values-can create spiritual separation or distance. Yet, God remains close, and the distance is often bridged by prayer and repentance
