Sin Brings Pain in our Relationship with God

Genesis 3:7-8

Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.

And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

Sin Separates us from God

God created Adam and Eve different than any other part of Creation. He wonderfully crafted them in His image, to share in His likeness. They were his image bearers and made to have a relationship with Him. Yet, God is holy and He can only be around that which is holy. The moment Adam and Eve sinned, they were impugned. They became sinners who instead of running to God in joy, now hid from Him in fear. Sin marred their relationship with God and separated them from the free communion they once experienced. Sin comes with a price, and the price is the complete separation from the Holy God preventing them from fulfilling their purpose in life – glorify God.

The Hope

Thankfully, God is gracious to us when we don’t deserve it. He immediately offers grace in Genesis 3 where He promises One who would defeat sin and death. We do not have to live in complete separation from God. We have the privilege of believing in Jesus Christ trusting Him as our Lord and Savior. Because Jesus takes our place and fulfills a righteousness that we cannot fulfill, we can once again have a relationship with God. However, this relationship will still be affected by sin.

The Effects of Sin

Sin continues to have an effect on us. While sin promises great boasts of satisfaction, pleasure, happiness, wholeness, and many other empty promises, all it really brings is pain. What is the reason? Sin drives us to hide in shame and guilt rather than running to God in delight. To this day, you and I follow the same path of Adam and Eve. Their sin caused them to hide their nakedness with coverings made from plants, and they realized that covering was insufficient. When they heard God coming towards them, they sought more cover in the trees. They hid from God in hopes He would not see their sin.

The reality is we cannot hide from God. Jonah couldn’t do it and neither can we. When we sin, may our sin push us towards God for repentance rather than hiding in shame and guilt. If this is you today, come out from the cloak of darkness and run to the Light of the world. Only He can save. Only He can forgive. Only He can offer you peace.