How Sin Separates Us From God


 In the last few weeks, I have had several young people ask me why it mattered so much whether or not they did things that went against the Bible.  I wanted to explain through an illustration, so here goes...

Imagine you are newly married.  You are so excited to spend time with your spouse.  You feel excitement and thrills.  But after being married a while, you begin to realize that you do not like the same things that your spouse likes.  You don't like ball games, cars, or their movies so you decide to go out and do your own things.  Now, you aren't spending as much time together.  You've decided that you like the freedom of doing your own thing without worrying about what your spouse thinks.  You don't want to wake them up coming in late, so you start sleeping in a separate room.  You've made new friends who are letting you sleep over, so you'll stay there through the week and only visit your spouse on weekends.  You think the relationship is fine, but you still feel so confined giving up your weekends to spend time with your spouse.  You decide to get an apartment and only visit your spouse on holidays.  Everything's still fine in your eyes because you still call  your spouse to talk, although the calls are not often.  You call when there's an emergency, and you need a tire changed or if you are sick and need someone to help you.  You still want your own life.  Now, you have started picking up habits you know your spouse does not like.  You don't see anything wrong with a little adultery or anger as you yell at your spouse every time you talk to them.  Now, with your new habits that your spouse doesn't like and your lack of visiting them, there is a huge gap between you.  Your spouse still loves you as much as when you first married and would give their life for you, but you can't feel that love anymore because of your choices.  In your feeling less than loved, you begin to not believe they are there for you or love you, even though they do.  Your lack of knowing them anymore has created this insecurity.  Because you won't go to them, they can't reassure you of their love.  So you walk away.  

My friends, we are the bride of Christ.  Revelation 19:7 NIV For the wedding of the Lamb has come,and his bride has made herself ready.  When you ask Jesus to be a part of your life, he becomes that husband that loves you more than anything.  He loved you so much that He was willing to give up His life so that you could live.  Yet, as we serve God, we allow the things of this world to lure us away from that amazing love.  When we embrace things that God doesn't like, we build a canyon between God and ourselves.  

Galatians 5:17 NIV For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[c] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

These habits we pick up in the world cause us to distance ourselves from our greatest love.  We begin to question His love and presence, even though both have not decreased.  As He continues to stretch out His hand to us, we allow the sin to convince us to walk away and pursue our own path.  What we don't realize is our own path is lonely, empty, and will never fulfill the purpose for which we were created- to be with God.  If you have found yourself feeling distant from God, He hasn't walked away from you.  Ask yourself: 1) Have I separated myself from Him by becoming too busy or pursuing my own things?  2) Have I embraced things in my life that I know God doesn't like? 3) Have I stopped talking to Him? 4) Am I only visiting His home on holidays or special occasions?  Is my time with Him getting further and further apart?  5) What am I willing to do to change this?

Nothing will take the place of having the One who loves you more than anyone on this planet and will be with you to the very end in your life. If you have any questions or need prayer, let me know.  I'll be glad to pray with  you.

Have a great week high-heeled warriors!



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