Sin separates us from God; it has done so since our first parents disobeyed in the Garden of Eden. But that doesn’t have to be the end of the story!
Scripture:
Isaiah, chapters 57-59; Psalm 103; 2 Peter, chapter 3
Isaiah 59:1-4 (CEB):
Look! The Lord does not lack the power to save, nor are his ears too dull to hear, but your misdeeds have separated you from your God. Your sins have hidden his face from you so that you aren’t heard. Your hands are stained with blood, and your fingers with guild. Your lips speak lies; your tongues utter malice. No one sues honestly; no one pleads truthfully. By trusting in emptiness and speaking in deceit, they conceive harm and give birth to malice.
Psalm 103:6-14 (CEB):
The Lord works righteousness; does justice for all who are oppressed. God made his ways known to Moses; made his deeds known to the Israelites. The Lord is compassionate and merciful, very patient, and full of faithful love. God won’t always play the judge; he won’t be angry forever. He doesn’t deal with us according to our sin or repay us according to our wrongdoing, because as high as heaven is above the earth, that’s how large God’s faithful love is for those who honor him. As far as east is from west – that’s how far God has removed our sin from us. Like a parent feels compassion for their children – that’s how the Lord feels compassion for those who honor him. Because God knows how we’re made, God remembers we’re just dust.
Observations: Sin Separates Us from God
In Isaiah 59, the prophet announces a harsh reality: your misdeeds have separated you from your God. That shouldn’t have been “news” to them; the Israelites had turned from God to idols long before. Despite repeated calls to repent and return to God, the people continued going their own way. Even worse, they continued to tell each other that God would protect them no matter what they did! Surely God would save them because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Look! The Lord does not lack the power to save, nor are his ears too dull to hear, but your misdeeds have separated you from your God. Your sins have hidden his face from you, so that you aren’t heard. While God would never forget his covenant, the people could reject it. Just as Adam and Eve had chosen to disobey in the Garden, so the Israelites could just to disobey God. And when they did, they experienced the consequences – just as their first parents had.
God Is Compassionate and Merciful
But even in the midst of their sin, God reminded Israel of his willingness to forgive. The Lord is compassionate and merciful, very patient, and full of faithful love (Psalm 103:8). But that forgiveness is not automatic; God does not force himself on anyone. When we choose to walk away from God, he will always welcome us back – but we have to choose to turn around and walk back to him. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from everything we’ve done wrong” (1 John 1:9, CEB).
He doesn’t deal with us according to our sin or repay us according to our wrongdoing, because as high as heaven is above the earth, that’s how large God’s faithful love is for those who honor him. To “honor” God means to acknowledge him as God – Sovereign of the universe. Because he is Sovereign, we submit to him. One day, everyone will do so (Philippians 2:9-11); but for those who wait until that day, their submission will be too late. But to those who acknowledge God now, God shows his compassion and mercy. Sin separates us from God – but God has provided a way for reconciliation through Jesus!
Application: How Sin Separates Us from God
Our third reading for today, from 2 Peter chapter 3, brings things down to basics for us. “Most important, know this: in the last days scoffers will come, jeering, living by their own cravings, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of his coming? After all, nothing has changed – not since the beginning of creation, nor even since the ancestors died’…The Lord isn’t slow to keep his promise, as some think of slowness, but he is patient toward you, not wanting anyone to perish but all to change their hearts and lives” (2 Peter 3:3-4, 3:9).
Sin separates us from God, but God offers forgiveness. Our part is to change our hearts and lives, as Peter says. But what does that mean?
- “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be? You must live holy and godly lives, waiting for and hastening the coming day of God” (2 Peter 3:11-12).
- “Therefore, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found by him in peace – pure and faultless” (2 Peter 3:14).
- “Be on guard so that you aren’t led off course into the error of sinful people, and lose your own safe position. Instead, grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:17-18).
Sin separates us from God, because sin is rebellion against God. Repentance starts with ending our rebellion and surrendering to God. When we do that, God reconciles us to himself. Like the father of the prodigal, God is watching for his children to “come home.” When we do, he welcomes us, and all heaven celebrates! (see Luke 15:7; 15:10; 15:32).
Prayer:
Father, thank you for reminding us that although sin separates us from you, you have made a way for us to return. If there are things in our lives that are not pleasing to you, show us. Lead us in your way, that we may experience your compassion, mercy, and faithful love.
Help us, too, to encourage others to make their way back to you. Jesus said that he came to seek and save the lost, and he calls us to join him in that work. Help us to do so not in a judgmental way, or with an attitude of superiority. Instead, help us to speak and live in ways that show people how large your faithful love is for those who turn to you. Amen.
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