Unconfessed Sin and an Unrepentant Heart
Disobedience is a major barrier because it creates distance in our relationship with God. It’s not that God has turned away from us, but rather that we have turned away from Him through our rebellion. You can’t have a closer relationship with God if you don’t respect His boundaries.
Jesus proclaimed,
Those who obey my commandments are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them, and I will love them. And I will reveal myself to each one of them. (John 14:21, NLT)
Our obedience demonstrates our love for Jesus. As we respect God’s rules, He permits us to see more of Him and, as we do, our relationship can become more intimate.
David observed,
Oh, what joy for those whose rebellion is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of sin, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! When I refused to confess my sin, I was weak and miserable, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. (Interlude) Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide them. I said to myself, ‘I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.’ And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. (Psalm 32:1-5, NLT)
Are you refusing to abandon a sin because it is more valuable to you than having uninhibited fellowship with God? Whatever temporal pleasure or satisfaction is gained through disobedience is not worth the loss of joy and peace that can only come from having a right relationship with your Heavenly Father.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” (Matthew 5:8, NIV)
>>> Back to “Loving God Wholeheartedly”
Other Barriers to Loving God:
>>> Insufficient Vision
>>> Lack of Belief
>>> Preoccupied with Distractions
>>> Spiritual Warfare
>>> Involvement in Idolatry