Ariel82,
Have you ever looked at Romans 1:21-32 and how the behavior of the unbeliever draws him/her further and further from God to the point that they become reprobate?
Rom 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
They know God (or know of Him), but they do not glorify Him and they become unthankful. Then they become empty in their thinking and reasonings.
Result: foolish heart becomes darkened.
Rom 1:22-24 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Those whose foolish heart is darkened profess themselves to be wise. In reality they become fools. They change the glory of God into an image.
Result: God gives them over to uncleanness and they then dishonor their own bodies amongst themselves.
rom 1:25-26 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
Those who are given over to uncleanness change the truth of God into a lie; they worship the creation more than the Creator.
Result: God gives them over to vile affections and they change the natural into that which is against nature.
Rom 1:27-28 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Once given over to vile affections they work that which is unseemly and receive in themselves the adequate recompence of their error.
Result: God gives them over to a reprobate mind because they do not like to retain God in their knowledge.
Romans 1:29-32 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Those who are reprobate in mind are filled with all these horrible behaviors. They seek out and have pleasure in those who behave in the same manner.
Is it any wonder why believers who want nothing more than to live in the light of the presence of God are so reviled?
And please note, people walk away from God and at some point, the further and further they walk away, God lets go (He gives them up). At each stage, there is a boundary which is crossed by the person who is given up.
Before you claim I am not on point in regards to the OP, please take a moment to reflect on the passage in Romans and how it might relate to the issue of God hiding His face. Thank you.
