'Restoring Wholeness: Overcoming Alienation from God Through Faith'

Alienated from God

Alienation is a state of being withdrawn or separated from a group, person, or situation to which one was formerly attached. In the context of our relationship with God, alienation refers to the state of being estranged or distant from Him. Ephesians 4:18 describes unbelievers as "darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart" (ESV). This means that sin has made us strangers to God.

God created human beings to live in close fellowship with Him. We were designed to be more like God than any other created being, but we also have free will to choose whether we want to have a relationship with Him or not. Our choice determines our standing with God, whether we live as aliens or as His beloved children (John 1:12).

The root word for alienation is "alien," which means "foreigner or stranger." Our sin nature makes us enemies of God's holiness and separates us from Him (Romans 5:12). We are born with this sin nature, and it makes it impossible for us to have fellowship with God or please Him in any way (Romans 8:8). This means that regardless of how good we try to be, we still live in a state of alienation from Him because His standard is perfection, and none of us can meet that standard (Romans 3:10, 23; 6:23).

The Reconciliation through Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ came into the world to reverse our alienation from God. He came to reconcile us to God (Romans 5:10; 2 Corinthians 5:18). Our alienation from God involved a debt that we could not pay. The punishment for our sin and rebellion against our Creator is an eternity in the lake of fire (John 3:16–18, 36; Romans 6:23; Matthew 25:46). Hell is a place of ultimate alienation with no hope of ever being reconciled to God or to those we love. In the final judgment, Jesus will say to those who are alienated from Him, "I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!" (Matthew 7:23).

To save us from perpetual alienation from God, the Father sent His Son to pay the debt we could not pay and take the punishment we deserve (2 Corinthians 5:21). Because of Jesus' sacrifice, God can pronounce our sin debt "Paid in Full" when we come to Christ in repentance and faith (Colossians 2:14). "God . . . reconciled us to himself through Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:18).

Access to God as His Children

Through Jesus, we have access to God as His children. Ephesians 2:18–19 says, "For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God." Before, when we were living in a state of alienation from Him, God was under no obligation to hear our prayers, comfort us, or protect us from harm (Proverbs 10:3; 28:9; Psalm 66:18). But when we come to faith in Jesus Christ and accept Him as our Lord and Savior, we become His beloved sons and daughters (John 1:12; Romans 8:15).

Why This Matters

Understanding our alienation from God is crucial because it highlights our need for reconciliation. Our sin has separated us from God, and without Jesus Christ, we would remain alienated from Him for eternity. The good news is that through Jesus' sacrifice, we can be reconciled to God and become His beloved children. This reconciliation is possible because Jesus paid the debt of our sins and satisfied God's justice on our behalf.

Think About It

Consider the implications of being alienated from God. Reflect on the fact that without Jesus Christ, we would be forever separated from Him and face eternal punishment. How does this understanding shape your gratitude for God's love and the sacrifice of Jesus? How does it inspire you to share the message of reconciliation with others who are still living in alienation from God?