Sin Brings Separation
People have told me many times that God does not answer their prayers, and they wonder if He is listening to them. Others say that they have asked God to save them, but nothing has happened. They blame the lack of change on God. God has no problem hearing prayers or saving people. The problem lies with us, and the problem is sin. (Isaiah 59:1,2) Sin brings separation between us and God, so that He will not hear us or save us, until we have dealt with our sin.
It is true that the Lord Jesus is the only One who can forgive our sins. However, we first have to repent of our sins and ask Him to save us, because we are surrendering to Him as Lord. We have to turn away from our way, which is sin, and turn to Him with a sincere, humble heart. I have said many times that people have a serious misconception of God. They think that He is obligated to save anyone who asks Him. He is not. Repentance from our sins comes first. (Acts 3:19) Why would God save us, if we had not turned away from sin, once and for all forsaking it to follow Him, as Lord. (Luke 9:23) He would not be saving us from to, but saving us to sin more.
Also, some people think God is obligated to answer every prayer. That is not true either. If we regard iniquity or sin in our hearts, He will not hear us. (Psalm 66:18) God is not a genie to whom we make requests. He is Lord of all, and He answers those who pray in faith with a clean heart. (James 5:16) Sin brings separation, so that God hides His face from us, since are not taking our sins seriously. When we repent of our sins, He turns His face to us, and He is "all ears" to hear our requests.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Isaiah 63-66.
It is true that the Lord Jesus is the only One who can forgive our sins. However, we first have to repent of our sins and ask Him to save us, because we are surrendering to Him as Lord. We have to turn away from our way, which is sin, and turn to Him with a sincere, humble heart. I have said many times that people have a serious misconception of God. They think that He is obligated to save anyone who asks Him. He is not. Repentance from our sins comes first. (Acts 3:19) Why would God save us, if we had not turned away from sin, once and for all forsaking it to follow Him, as Lord. (Luke 9:23) He would not be saving us from to, but saving us to sin more.
Also, some people think God is obligated to answer every prayer. That is not true either. If we regard iniquity or sin in our hearts, He will not hear us. (Psalm 66:18) God is not a genie to whom we make requests. He is Lord of all, and He answers those who pray in faith with a clean heart. (James 5:16) Sin brings separation, so that God hides His face from us, since are not taking our sins seriously. When we repent of our sins, He turns His face to us, and He is "all ears" to hear our requests.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Isaiah 63-66.