The Barriers of SinSpeaker: Dr. D.G.S. Dhinakaran Gist: When the time of death draws near, there arises a doubt in every man's heart, "If I were to die today, will I go to heaven and see God?" Sin stands as a barrier between us and Him. Everyone who is born on this earth has a time to leave this earth for eternity. When the time of death draws near, there arises a doubt, "If I were to die today, will I go to heaven and see God?" It makes our mind tremble. Sin stands as a barrier between God and our soul.
The Holy Scripture says, "Truly, this only I have found; That God made man upright, But they have sought out many schemes." (Ecclesisastes 7:29)
"They have corrupted themselves." (Deuteronomy 59:8)
"Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." (Genesis 6:5)
"For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness." (Mark 7:21,22)
The Holy Scripture says that God is holy and righteous (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8). He is seated on His heavenly throne. The angelic host stands around Him; they sing His glory and worship Him day and night, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory" (Isaiah 6:3). Their song means that God, the Father is holy; Lord Jesus, the Son of God is holy; and the Holy Spirit is holy.
"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)
The Lord therefore languishes, unable to approach us because of the barrier of sin. Without holiness no one can see God, who is the fountain of all holiness.
I had a good friend who joined the navy at a very young age. There he took to drinks and acquired several bad habits. His mother, who heard about his bad habits was much distressed. One day, he came home on leave. He was so anxious to see his mother and knocked at the door. When the door was opened he expected his mother to come running and embrace him. But she stared at his face and said in tears, "My dear son, do not come into the house. I love you so much, but you have spoilt and ruined your life. I have other children as well. They should not be see your life and become spoilt. Please go away from me." She then banged the door on his face.
My dear friend, when our heart is filled with sin, it becomes a barrier before us blocking our vision of God. We cannot see His loving and gracious face because of the barrier. The Lord therefore languishes, unable to approach us because of the barrier of sin. Without holiness nobody can see God who is the fountain of all holiness. The Lord would look at us and say, "I cannot accept you. Your sins stands as a barrier." How terrible it would be!
Look at the life of Lord Jesus. He took the form of man and became one among us. Except sin, He had all the qualities of a man. He led a pure and holy life throughout. Even at His time of death, He surrendered to His Father's will and gave His precious life for you and me. He knew very well that He came to this sinful world obeying His Father's will to save you and me. We read in the Bible, "Jesus knew that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God" (John 13:3).
My dear friend, when death approaches us and we are unrepentant, all our sins surround us like a chain of mountains. The hour of death then becomes a terror. But the Bible says, "If our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things" (1 John 3:20). So, let us seek God earnestly right now and say, "Lord, make me holy. I desire to come to heaven anyhow and see Your loving and graceful face." Let this be our constant prayer day in and day out.
Prayer:
Gracious Heavenly Father,
Forgive all my failures and shortcomings. Father, I cannot do anything using my own strength. By my sins I have gone astray from you. By the power of your Spirit, help me to move away from my sinful paths and draw closer to You. Break away the barriers of sin that stops me from getting closer to You. Strengthen me to rise and move on in my life. Make me to be holy like You. In Jesus' matchless name, I pray.
Amen. |