“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.” Isaiah 59:1-2
REFLECT
I heard this quote the other day: “Even if I mess up, it doesn’t matter because I’m forgiven, and Jesus still loves me.” This statement was declared as if it were the message of the Gospel. But is it? Does sin truly no longer matter in light of grace? Is that really the freedom we have because of Christ?
Grace is such a beautiful gift. A gift that guarantees no matter how far we fall, when we run back toward our Father, He is ready and willing to receive us once again. It is so wonderfully true: grace forever keeps us within the heart and sight of God. But what of sin? Does it truly no longer matter? Well Isaiah 59:2 assures us that sin keeps God from the heart and sight of the sinner.
This means that in view of sin, we need not worry of God fleeing from us. Rather, our main concern needs to be us fleeing from God. The more we sin, the more we transgress, the more steps we actively take away from things like God’s peace, comfort, justice, and righteousness. You cannot bask in these while also basking in sin. You cannot pursue both. The more you pursue one, the further you end up from the other.
So, we see the power and promise of the Gospel is not freedom to sin—but rather, freedom from sin. Because of Christ and His Spirit, we now have the ability and choice to run toward Him and away from that which blinds our eyes and clogs our ears to the face and voice of God.
Dear Christian, the Gospel does not mean sin is no longer a big deal. It means you no longer have to allow its impact over your life. Because the more you allow it into your life, the more you are actively choosing to allow God’s goodness and character out of it. And that is always a big deal.
PRAY
Lord, soften my heart toward the gravity of my sin. Help me to see its horror, yet keep me in the comfort and peace that Your Son and Spirit offer. For I declare it is by Your power, and Your power alone, that I may have the ability to lay aside my transgressions and pursue Your face wholeheartedly instead. Amen.
YOUR TURN
What sins exist within your life that are distracting you from the face of God? If you are unaware of any, go humbly before your Father, and ask that the Spirit reveal any sins or transgressions that may be hindering you from living within the fullness of his presence. Be prepared—He will undoubtedly answer this request.
