How long do you have to confess, repent, and sit in the guilt of your sin before you feel accepted again? We all know this feeling of uncleanliness before the Lord. It’s that “yuck” feeling that’s a mixture of shame and disgust. Something in us instinctively believes we must fix ourselves before approaching God in prayer. But is that feeling from God? And if it is, when exactly are we ready to come before Him?
I was thinking this the other day in regards to the way approach sharing our faith. Too much of it comes across as stop sinning so that God can love you. It’s like God’s holiness keeps his affection for us in check. As if is in heaven God saying if I can just clean this person up there is someone in there I can love.
But that’s not the heart of the Father.
Sin Makes Us Feel Separated But God Isn’t Withholding Love
Sin still has a powerful effect in the world, but we have misplaced where the issue belongs. When we sin it makes us feel separated from God because we no longer live up to His holiness. Our separation causes us to either hide our mess or ourselves from God.
But here’s the truth: For those who are in Christ, God does not see your sin as a barrier between you and Him. The wages of sin have already been paid (1 Peter 3:18). The debt is settled (Romans 6:23). The separation we feel is emotional, not theological.
This is why we must allow people to come to Jesus as they are. The cross is more than sufficient for whatever they bring with them. He already knows if someone is sleeping around, stealing from work, or struggling with pornography. None of that stops Him from loving them.
Sin Causes Separation But Love Restores Fellowship
As parents we send our kids to their room when they’re bad because we believe that sin requires separation. That is not true. Sin causes separation. Our kids feel it when they are aware of doing something wrong. They hide. They look down. They become unsure.
- Our goal as parents is to bring them back into fellowship.
- Our goal in witnessing is similar… to bring people back into fellowship with God.
God is not pushing people away because of their sin. He wants to wrap them in His arms and wipe away every tear. Jesus said that kingdom of heaven is like a man who had two sons. You know the story. The younger son comes back from his raucous life ready to give his father confession and penance, but the father interrupted him with extravagant love.
That’s the heart of God.
We Don’t Clean Ourselves to Receive Love But His Love Cleans Us
We must let go of the belief that we have to deal with our sin in order to receive God’s love. It is only in His presence that we can even know His love that empowers us to stop sinning. His presence heals the areas of our heart to causes us to sin. We don’t go to the doctor only after we have proven we can get well. It is by his kind direction that we are enabled to find healing.
Stop giving power to sin. It no longer has any power to keep us from God. The only power it has is in our minds. Renew your mind and walk in the Spirit. Nothing can ever separate you from the love of God.