So, if God loves you and wants you to have a relationship with Him, what’s the problem?
SIN. It’s a small word with enormous implications. Sin separates us from God. Sometimes this is a stumbling block for people. They think, “Really … me … I’m ‘sinful’?”
Wrong Choices
The first man, Adam, was given the choice to love and obey God. For a while, Adam did just that, but eventually he chose to disobey God, and when he did, he began the sad plight of selfishness and rebellion against God that’s prevalent in our world today.
The problem is we all have made wrong choices in life. The Bible calls these wrong choices “sin” which in the original Greek language means “missing the mark” … like an archer missing his target. Sin is the reason for wars, terrorism, social injustice, selfishness, greed, jealousy, addictive behavior, broken relationships … and all the other destructive things we encounter in our world. The Apostle Paul explains,
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23, NIV).
“When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned” (Romans 5:12, NLT).
Have you ever really thought about your own personal sin?
Separation from God
The Bible teaches us that God is absolutely pure and holy … and that He cannot tolerate sin. The Bible states,
“It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore” (Isaiah 59:2, NLT).
“For the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23, NLT)
Just when it all seems so hopeless, God intervenes. He has made a way for sin to no longer be a barrier. God has a solution. . .