What do shadows prove?

This post was inspired by the song-writer Jon Foreman...

In my lifetime of studying God, I have come to a conclusion of many different theological ideas or thoughts. The one idea that I have had the most trouble is with the idea of sin. The idea or the question that I have never had a clear answer for with sin is this; 'Does sin seperate us from the love of God?'

I know these things about sin. I know that sin is real. I know that sin has consequences. This is one idea of sin that I don't agree with. That sin seperates us from God.

I think that our sin gets us even closer to God. That in the times of trouble and needing of some forgiveness that we go to God. And that its this ironic idea of doing something sinful that brings us closer to God. I'm not here trying to advocate for someone to live in an unhealthy lifestyle of sin. I am only saying that it is wrong for us to say to people that they are not near to God because of their sin.

For example...

I was a part of a hyper spiritual community of faith where the leaders of the church would look down on you and condemn you for doing something sinful... One of the things that I got condemned for and made feel guilty of was not inviting my pastor to my birthday party. He made me feel so shameful for having a celebration that I thought he would not even want to go to. He told me that I was sinning for not honoring my leader and that I should feel guilty. At that moment I felt so far away from God. The reason being was because someone in a leadership position condemned me and made me a sinful person.

From my example, I hope we can all learn.

I would hope even further that we as a people would be more open to see that the work of Christ was for the sinful.

My prayer for all humanity is this, "That the shadow may prove the sunshine."