Why God Seems Distant
How Can I Connect With God?
There
may be times in our lives, both Christian and non-Christian, where we feel like
God is a million miles away. We may feel like there is no way we can
reach Him.
Why do we feel this way? What separates us from God?
How can we rectify this situation?
Sin Separates Us From God
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis
1:1).
.
He created everything ‘very good’ (Genesis 1:31). The universe was perfect and humanity had a perfect relationship with God.
.
He created everything ‘very good’ (Genesis 1:31). The universe was perfect and humanity had a perfect relationship with God.
The biblical record tells us that sin separates us from the
relationship with God that we were meant to enjoy. The rest of history is
the story of God providing the remedy for humanity’s sinful condition.
As long as our rebellious hearts continue rejecting
God, we will
be separated from Him. This applies to all people, “For the wages of sin is
death…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” (Romans 6:23a, 3:23 ESV). This verse tells us that this
sinful condition is every person’s condition, not just some people.
God Is Not Far From Any Of Us
The good news is that God has provided the way of salvation for us
through the life, death, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus.
Not only that, but the Bible says that God so orchestrates events
and circumstances of life so that men and women will have the opportunity to
come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved (Acts 17:26).
The Bible also says that God arranges things so that people, “should
seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is
actually not far from each one of us” (Acts 17:27 ESV).
God makes it possible for people to know the truth and choose to
follow the truth into a saving relationship with Him (Psalm 34:18, 119:151,
145:18; Jeremiah 23:23-24).
Now Is The Time
It is a sad truth that many people think that they will have time
to dedicate their lives to God at some later date. For too many, they do
not get that opportunity.
The Bible tells us that we need to commit our lives to God now,
not later, “For he says, “In a favorable
time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold,
now is the day of salvation” (2
Corinthians 6:2 ESV).
“Seek the Lord while he may be
found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the
unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have
compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:6-7 ESV).
Why put off living the best possible life we could live, the life
that God intended for us to live? Many, by
putting off this decision,
have missed their chance altogether.
God has done everything to make a relationship with Him possible,
all we have to do is to willfully enter into that relationship by exercising faith
in Jesus Christ.
What Do I Have To Do?
The Bible tells us that, “…the
free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23b).
Jesus Christ paid the cost when He died on the cross; there is
nothing we can do to save ourselves, He has done it all. Our response to
His sacrifice is what determines our eternal destiny.
God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one
confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, ‘Everyone who believes in him
will not be put to shame’” (Romans
10:8-11 ESV).
The gist of this passage tells us that, when we truly believe in
our hearts that Jesus is Lord of our lives, that truth will naturally be
something we proclaim; because it will be too great a truth to keep locked up
within us.
There Can Be No Half-hearted Commitment To God
There Can Be No Half-hearted Commitment To God
A commitment to God must be just that: a
commitment.
There are many today that exercise a half-hearted allegiance to
God and think they are saved when they are not.
A saving faith can be no other than a whole-hearted commitment to
Him, as is repeated often in the Bible, “But
from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search
after him with all your heart and with all your soul” (Deuteronomy 4:29 ESV, cf. Jeremiah 29:13).
We were created to have fellowship with God and only in this way
will our lives be complete and our purpose
be realized.
Conclusion
God has done everything needed for us to be reconciled to
Him. He has paid the price for our sins by sending His Son, Jesus, to die
on the cross for you and me.
He has placed the knowledge of Himself within the heart of every
man.
It is up to us to decide whether we will serve God or serve
ourselves. God has determined to make it possible for us to choose; the
decision belongs to each of us.
When we choose to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, body,
and strength we will experience the closeness of a right relationship with
Him.
There is no better way to live…for now, and for eternity.
Would you want to have a deeper relationship with
God?
God has made it possible for you to know Him and experience an amazing change in your own life
by receiving His Son,
Jesus Christ, and have eternal life.
Say the following prayer:
“Father God, I confess I am a sinner and
my sins have separated me from You.
I am truly sorry. I now want to turn
away from my past sinful life and live a new life pleasing to You.
Please forgive me, and help me avoid
sinning again.
I believe that Your Son, Jesus Christ died
for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer.
I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my
life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Thank You that
according to your Word, I am now born again.
Please send Your Holy Spirit to help me
obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. I promise to study Your
Word – the Bible.
Please use me for Your glory.
In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.”
Related Posts:
“As the Deer” Marty Nystrom
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5pZkLWZv-E
lyrics
As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after thee
You alone are my hearts desire
And I long to worship thee
So my soul longeth after thee
You alone are my hearts desire
And I long to worship thee
Chorus
You alone are my strength my shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my hearts desire
And I long to worship thee
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my hearts desire
And I long to worship thee
You're my friend and You are my brother,
Even though you are a king.
I love you more thank any other,
So much more than anything.
Even though you are a king.
I love you more thank any other,
So much more than anything.
I want You more than gold or silver,
Only You can satisfy.
You alone are the real joy Giver,
And the apple of my eye.
whatchristianswanttoknow.com
Only You can satisfy.
You alone are the real joy Giver,
And the apple of my eye.
whatchristianswanttoknow.com
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