God hates sin because it is contrary to His very nature. Sin is to God as black is to white and darkness is to light. Sinfulness is direct opposition to the purity and righteousness of a perfect God. Our heavenly Father will not look upon it, as we know from Christ’s supreme sacrifice on the cross.
“And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”
Jesus cried out in anguish because of the separation He experienced from His heavenly Father, for the first and only time. It is the only recorded account where Jesus did not address God as Father. It is widely believed that because the Son took the sins of the world upon Himself, the Father turned His back. This is a great mystery because Jesus is God and He exists in three persons, i.e. the Trinity.
It is not surprising that Martin Luther is said to have gone into seclusion for a long time trying to understand this enigma and came away as confused as when he began. But in some way and by some means, the God-Man was separated from God for a brief time at Calvary. Who of us can understand the divine sovereignty and omnipotence of our Creator?
“’For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.’” Isaiah 55:8-9 (NKJV)
Habakkuk declared of God, “You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on wickedness.” (Hab 1:13a) Obviously, sin separates us from fellowship with God. Furthermore, sin robs us of power in the spiritual realm. When we accepted Christ as our Savior, we were given every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places through Christ Jesus. We are powerful because He is our strength. We are stronger than any principality or force of darkness that may shoot a fiery dart in our direction.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” Ephesians 1:3 (NKJV)
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.” 2 Corinthians 10:3 (NKJV)
But when sin separates us from God and He turns a deaf ear to our prayers, we are left without the ability to tap into His supernatural power and strength. Sin cripples the believer.
“But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.” Isaiah 59:2 (NKJV)
The devil knows he cannot destroy us, but he also knows he can distract us with temptations. He is called by many names, including Tempter. Tempter means, “One who tempts people for the purpose of enticing them to sin.” The devil seeks to pervert our passions and spiritual gifts. He is the Father of all lies and a foe who requires a state constant readiness. Thankfully, through Christ, we can bring the victory of heaven into our existence on earth.
Sin can be viewed as weeds. Garden weeds spring up overnight and can quickly crowd out beautiful flowers. A wise gardener takes daily note of his garden and uproots problematic weeds before they develop deep roots. If personal sins are ignored, seeds will quickly sprout within our heart. When we deny or ignore their presence and refuse to uproot them, germination occurs. More sins of various charm and appeal find a home in the polluted soil, quickly multiply, and flourish.
It is so easy to excuse a single sin. After all, what harm is there in a single temptation or lie? Friend, one sin leads to another sin, and another, and another. To remain in fellowship with God and to retain every blessing He has provided from heaven, the practice of daily self-examination is necessary. Confessing and repenting of every known sin is a great way to begin, but be sure to ask God (who sees all things) to unearth and forgive the hidden and secret sins still lurking under the soil of your heart.
“You have set our iniquities before You, our secret sins in the light of Your countenance.” Psalm 90:8 (NKJV)
“Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” Proverbs 28:13 (NIV)
A healthy garden is a beautiful thing to behold. It blesses the owner as well as friends invited to dwell within the grounds. There is peace, pleasure, and comfort within the walls of a well-tended garden. It nourishes the soul and becomes a refuge, haven, and sanctuary for weary souls.
God placed Adam in a garden and told him to tend it. We too must tend our spiritual condition as if it were a plot of land. Do not let sin crowd out the good works God has already prepared for you. They are certain to be lovely additions to a flourishing garden.
Sadly, those who have succumbed to the power of sin have let their spiritual garden die. Flowers that were once healthy and strong dry up, thirsty for the water that promises everlasting life. It is not only neglected but can eventually be forgotten, if sin continues to flourish thus changing the heart of the believer.
“But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:14 (NKJV)
Our most important relationship is the one we hold with our Creator. The time spent with Him cultivates a wondrous landscape design that will magnify Him and bless others. As our spiritual garden grows, God will daily walk with us through the many garden rooms we have created to magnify His holiness. Oh how sad it is to miss out on fellowship and walks with God. Please take time every day to examine your heart and remove every spiritual weed that hinders your prayers and communion with God. Our sins are forgivable, but repentance is necessary.
“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.” Psalm 51:1-2 (NKJV)
“As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12 (NKJV)
Categories: INSPIRATIONAL DEVOTIONS, PRAYER, SPIRITUAL WARFARE, THOUGHT FOR TODAY
Yes this message kind of talks about Mathew 13:24-30
And he answers it on Mathew 13:36-43…