How Sin Separates Us From God (1-3-2021)

How Sin Separates Us from God 1-3-21 Isaiah 59:1-2 and Psalm 32:3 Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. NIV There was a time when I wouldn’t admit what a sinner I was. But my dishonesty made me miserable and filled my days with frustration. TLB I remember time, very early in our marriage, when I was angrily corrected by my wife for an offense I was not even aware I had committed. Like the time I corrected her grammar in front of some visitors. Being a former English teacher and having to regularly correct my students’ bad language usage, I was used to grading these errors and it came natural to me. However, after our company had left Helen let me have it. At first I was flummoxed! How could I be so wrong for doing a duty for which I had been paid. When I stupidly tried to defend myself she said: “Glenn, I am not your student, I am your wife.” Finally, she got through to me. I felt her anger, embarrassment and hurt. And it was one of the first times I had to say the very important words, “I am sorry.” This little story illustrates several things about sin. First, sometimes we sin and are not aware of it. Therefore we feel no guilt. The Sunday School lesson points out that God fashioned the human spirit and soul by giving it a conscience that leads to a response of feeling guilt. I agree with that, but I also realize that conscience has to be taught or informed. That is what my wife did for me. And isn’t that one of the main teaching functions of parents with their children? At one time, pop psychologists taught that guilt was a bad thing. But I now know that the ability to feel guilt is essential to becoming a mature person. On the other hand there is a difference between guilt and shame and to fully explain that would require a whole different devotional. Another thing my story illustrates is the importance of correction. If Helen had not corrected me with such vigor, I would have blithely continued in my “English teacher mode” and might have kept disregarding or not noticing her feelings of embarrassment and hurt. But she let me know how she felt and what she thought. So, correction was an important aspect of my learning to be a good husband. Also, Helen was honest with me about her feelings toward and judgement of me. I have to say that I have often felt uncomfortable or even irritated with this kind of honesty. But now I admire Helen for it. One of the things I like about our pastor is that he is not afraid to give his people advice about what we should do to please God, he doesn’t mind pointing out sinful behavior and attitudes. If he did not do this, I wouldn’t think he was much of a good shepherd. There is one very popular media preacher who is very reluctant to point out or talk much about sin to his adoring audience. For a while I really liked his soft-diet sermons that made me feel good about myself, but after hearing some good preachers who were willing to teach hard lessons about sin and moral correctness, I woke up to my own need to change and the importance of forgiveness. My beginning Scripture from Isaiah teaches an important lesson, namely, that our sins separate us from God. By denying, hiding or ignoring the “sin factor” of life we are deceiving ourselves. We know the stories about adultery, how it and the lies upon lies upon lies can ruin a marriage, harm a family, and destroy the sinner’s character, psychological peace, and even their careers and lives. Isaiah says that our sins hide God’s face from us. If I can’t see your face, if I can’t see your hurt and anger and sadness, I will not be aware of my sin and I will continue to abandon you by my sinful behavior, and when I am away from you for a time, you cannot hear me and I cannot hear you. We lose our sense of connection, we lose our relationship and any possibility of the friendship and love that vital to and nurture the human spirit. Isaiah knew long ago what medical science has discovered in our age, that a problem with our spiritual heart directly affects the physical heart. Who knows how many people with heart problems got that way because of their sin, not that all heart ailments are caused by sin. But the Bible points to the physical costs of sin. One commentary I read stated that David's sin caused him to murder Uriah, and his guilt affected his physical body. Psalm 32:5 says “For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.” Of course one step toward curing these psychological ills is to confess our sins. 1 John 1:9 says this: “If we confess our sins, [God] is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Our Sunday School lesson says, “Confessing sin to God is the only way to bury it.” In my experience, it was only after surrendering to Jesus, that I began the process that ended in my rebirth and baptism. The burden was lifted and I emerged from that water released and renewed. So this Sunday’s lesson is based on Psalm 32 and that psalm is important because it teaches how a man or woman may relieve him or herself of the burden of sin. Questions and Challenges • • • • Recall an instance in which you were unaware of a sin or fault and had to be taught a lesson by someone who helped you recognize and admit it. Share that lesson with someone you trust. What role has honesty played in the development of your conscience and your spiritual growth? How has your sin separated you from God? Give an example of how confession has brought about peace and healing. Prayer Jesus, you taught us so much about the importance of humility. Your story is one of the conquest of humility over pride. Help us to have the humility to recognize and admit our sinful behavior, thoughts, and attitudes. Father, hold us in the palm of your hand as we make these confessions and bring us your comfort and healing. We pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ our precious Lord and Savior. Amen