Separation from God is a person’s greatest problem, and because of that separation they cannot experience the abundant life coming from a personal relationship with God. Life can be filled with a great many problems, sometimes seemingly overwhelming. That’s when I often hear people ask the question: “Where is God?” “Why doesn’t He answer me?”
And while God loves you and created you to know Him personally, separation from God is still the greatest problem. We were designed and created for fellowship with Him and His children. From the beginning of time, we were created to commune with—to love and adore God, and to have God love us. That is the purpose for our existence—to praise, to worship, and have intimacy with God.
When I pray, why do I feel like my prayers aren’t answered— at least the way I think He should answer them. The simplest answer is found in Isaiah 59:1-2 where we read: “1Listen! The Lord’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is His ear too deaf to hear you call. 2It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, He has turned away and will not listen anymore.”
He’s saying—if you have sin in your life, if you are not obeying His decrees and commandments, if you have unconfessed sin in your life—you can pray 24 hours every day, but “2Because of your sins, He has turned away and will not listen anymore.” The ONLY prayer He will hear from you is the sinner’s prayer . . . a prayer of repentance.
Simply put, our separation from God is caused by our sin—your separation from God is caused by your sin. In Romans 3:23 we read: “23. . . ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Notice the middle letter in the word SIN is “I,” we could say that SIN is self-centeredness. Sin is living as though I am the center and the world revolves around me.
When a person is sinful and separated from God, they cannot know Him personally or experience His love. A wall or barrier has been erected by your sin, but you can be reunited and in relationship with God. The barrier between you and God can be removed, however there is nothing you can do to bridge the gap—BUT God can! What is impossible with man is possible with God. He bridged the gap—the chasm—through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus the Christ. He always provides a way if we are willing.
If you want to be reconciled back to God, the first thing you must do is RECOGNIZE the separation is caused by your sin. Second, you must REPENT of your sin and ask for forgiveness, and Last, you must RECEIVE the gift of eternal life He offers. Allow Him to cleanse you from sin by placing your faith and trust in Christ as Lord and Savior.
Romans 10:9-10 tells us: “9. . . if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
God sent His Son to restore you to Himself by dying on the cross for you. He wants you to come home. Let me encourage you to reach out to Him and start 2023 with Jesus the Christ in your life. He loves you and died for you—so you could live.
Always in His Service, PastorRon Pastor, Fellowship Church of the Nazarene