What does it mean to be utterly cut off from God?

To be utterly cut off from God signifies total alienation from His presence and grace. In Nahum, we see a depiction of God's judgment where Nineveh faces utter destruction, highlighting that those who remain in their sin face severe consequences—'Affliction shall not rise up the second time.' For those outside of Christ, this presents a dire reality. However, for believers, being in Christ means that this state of being cut off is impossible, as God holds firm to His promise of perseverance in the faith. Therefore, our fear of being utterly cut off should lead us to cling tightly to Christ, who protects and upholds us from such a fate.