Don't Be in the Dark
Today’s Verse:
But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. ~Isaiah 59:2
The Apostle Paul said that in the last days we shall live in perilous times. I believe we are in those days. One of the characteristics of our age is the abounding of sin. Jesus said, “Where iniquity abounds, the love of many shall grow cold.” When sin abounds, there is the hardening towards sin, the ignoring of sin, the proliferation of sin, and the redefining of sin. In our devotion this morning, God soberly reminds us that sin separates us from God. Unconfessed sin puts us in the dark!
We see the entry of sin.
We are born into this world with a sinful nature. “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me,” Ps. 51:5. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned,” Rom. 5:12. Our human tendency is to sin! We lean towards lying, lusting, being disobedient, and rebelling. “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin,” James 1:14-15a. It is easier to live in sin than it is to live for God. Men love darkness rather than light. Our tendency is to be drawn by our desires and lusts: that is sin at work in us.
We see the evil in sin.
Sin is wicked. There is no such thing as little sins. Solomon said, “The little foxes spoil the vine.” Lot sought refuge from judgment by asking God if he could flee to an outlying city of Sodom. His reasoning to God was, “Is it not a little one?” A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. Little sins are destructive. All sin is evil because it causes us to fall short of the glory of God. Sin is corrupting, contaminating, and contagious. One sin leads to another sin. Sin destroys good relationshsips.Sin defiles our lives. Sin disqualifies us from serving God. Sin causes sleepless nights. People want to cover up their sin. There is never any good in sin!
We see the effects of sin.
Sin separates us from God! It separates us from God’s fellowship. The loss of fellowship with God leaves us living in restlessness, incredible guilt, and instability. It separates us from His favor. Our prayers go unanswered. Our service is without results. Our life is barren and fruitless. We have no power. The Holy Spirit is quenched and grieved with our sin. We lose our sharpness and sensitivity. The idea of separation is a wall that is between us and God. The idea of separation is that we are very far from God. It is like the prodigal son who took everything he had, and journeyed into a far country. Sin disrupts, disconnects, and disables.
We see the elixir for sin.
We must come to God for forgiveness and cleansing. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness,” I John 1:9. God is ready to forgive and cleanse us from all sin. Not only that, but the blood of Jesus is the continuous cleansing agent for our sins. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin,” 1 John 1:7. His blood cleanses us from past, present, and future sins. We must confess all known sin to God so that our fellowship and joy can be restored.
Don’t let sin leave you in the dark. Sin separates between us and God. Sin must be dealt with quickly and remedially. Don’t let sin separate you from God. Come to Him, and be restored in the sweetness of His fellowship.
Have a forgiven God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Psalm 119:1-88
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