November 10, 2024— Does it ever feel like you are so far away from God? I’ve been there, and I am sure every believer experiences this at one point or another. If you feel you are far from God, have you considered why this could be the case? The top reasons for being far from God consist of the following:
These top reasons are further discussed in the sections below.
Sin
When Jesus began His ministry, He started with “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17). Jesus was telling them to repent from their sins because there is God in the flesh right before them. You may be wondering what sin is. Sin is anything that breaks the moral code of God. There are hundreds of commandments (moral law) from God in the Holy Bible, but we see ten seemingly simple commandments in Exodus 20:2-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21.
However, when men began preaching that circumcision is required for salvation, Paul and Barnabas were sent to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders to try to stop the disciples from preaching falsely (Acts 15:2). James determined that Gentiles (of non-Jewish descent) abstain themselves from the following sins:
Things polluted by idols- any object, food, instrument, equipment, or other item consecrated to anything other than God.
Sexual immorality (fornication)- Sex and sexual activity is reserved for marriage between one man (as born) and one woman (as born).
Things strangled- Often, when an animal is strangled to death, it is sacrificed to demons. When an animal is slaughtered for meat, it must be killed by cutting the throat to drain its blood (see Leviticus 10-14). If an animal is strangled, the blood is not properly drained from the animal. It is a cruel way to kill the animal for the meat and goods it is providing.
From blood- Leviticus 10:13-14 states:
“Whatever man of the children of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell among you, who hunts and catches any animal or bird that may be eaten, he shall pour out its blood and cover it with dust; for it is the life of all flesh. Its blood sustains its life. Therefore I said to the children of Israel, ‘You shall not eat the blood of any flesh, for the life of all flesh is its blood. Whoever eats it shall be cut off.’
The word from James pleased the elders and apostles, who wrote a letter to go with Paul and Barnabas. The letter addressed the brethren’s concern regarding circumcision and concluded that they would do well if they abstained from the sins in the bulleted list above (Acts 15:29).
Something worth mentioning is that the Holy Bible tells Christians that we have no excuse for sin. Jesus said, “If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.” (John 15:22).
If you sin, repent, ask Jesus for forgiveness, and move on. Ask brothers and sisters in faith to pray for you to overcome the sin. Confess it to the church if the sin is too addictive to break.
Absent Prayer Life
Jesus spent time alone in quiet places to pray. You should find a dedicated time and place to pray to God consistently and daily. Paul said, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Just because you prayed once a day does not mean you are “covered.” You must “pray without ceasing,” as Paul suggested. Pray aloud in a quiet, private place like your bedroom or a home office. As you go about your day, pray internally (to yourself, not aloud) and bless any food you eat or product you purchase, wear, or use.
Lack of Communion with the Holy Spirit
Aside from salvation, Jesus granted us the beautiful gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” Every born-again believer has the Holy Spirit within them. Remember, the Holy Spirit will guide you and give you clarification and revelation of the Holy Bible for the Word of God.
In addition, Paul said, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.” (2 Corinthians 13:14). Notice the word “communion” in that verse? Communion is “the sharing or exchanging of intimate thoughts and feelings, especially when the exchange is on a mental or spiritual level.” (Oxford Languages).
Jesus wants to have a relationship with you, which is why the Holy Spirit is necessary. Therefore, do not be afraid to speak with the Holy Spirit, who will guide you.
Worship
How is your singing voice? Mine is less to be desired, but I still find a time and place to worship God. When Abraham’s servant sought Isaac's wife, he prayed to God. As Rebekah came to the well where the servant was, the servant observed that her actions were aligned with his prayer. The servant asked her who she was the daughter of. After the servant observed these things, he worshipped right then and there.
Your Holy Bible is Covered in Dust
Adam was created from the dust of the ground, and to dust, his body returned. However, your Holy Bible is covered with dust. If there is one book that dust should never collect, it is the Holy Bible. Any dust on the cover suggests it's beyond time to start reading the Holy Bible. As the Word of God, the Holy Bible is meant to be opened and read daily. The more you read the Holy Bible, the closer you become to God.
Forgiveness
We all know that Jesus forgives sins. Some examples of Jesus forgiving sins are shown within Mark 2:5-10 and Luke 7:48. In addition, Colossians 1:13-14 states, “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.”
However, Jesus also taught us that we need to forgive the sins of other people, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” (Matthew 6:14). Jesus continues by saying, “But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:15). Furthermore, Peter approached Jesus and asked Him how many times he must forgive a brother and suggested up to seven times. Jesus responded, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:21-22). The only other time we see this in the Holy Bible is when Lamech (a descendent of Cain) says to his wives:
Adah and Zillah, hear my voice; Wives of Lamech, listen to my speech! For I have killed a man for wounding me, Even a young man for hurting me. If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, Then Lamech seventy-sevenfold.
Genesis 4:23-24
In Genesis 4, Abel and Cain decided to make an offering to God. Abel makes an offering of the firstborn of his flock and their fat. Cain brings an offering of fruit. Being pleased with Abel’s offering, God is displeased with Cain’s offering. Cain kills Abel out of jealousy. When God asks Cain where his brother is, Cain responds, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9). Knowing what Cain did, God says:
And He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground. So now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to you. A fugitive and a vagabond you shall be on the earth.”
Genesis 4:10-12
Cain tells God his “punishment is greater than I can bear!” Cain also says that he has been driven “from the face of the ground; I shall be hidden from Your face; I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond on the earth, and it will happen that anyone who finds me will kill me.” (Genesis 4:14). However, God exercises mercy and says, “ “Therefore, whoever kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord set a mark on Cain, lest anyone finding him should kill him.” (Genesis 4:15).
All this to say that if God has mercy for a murder, how much more mercy will He have toward a righteous person? However, you will only be forgiven if you forgive the sins of others and ask for forgiveness from God. Cain ran and hid but never asked to be forgiven for murdering his brother. Today, you have a choice to forgive someone(s) of their sins and ask God for forgiveness of your sins.
Accepting Jesus
Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came in the flesh. Being innocent, Jesus died on the cross to pay the price of your sin. Three days later, Jesus Christ was resurrected in the flesh. Walking in the resurrected body for 40 days, Jesus ascended to the right hand of God. If you have not accepted Jesus Christ, I invite you to do so now. All it takes is saying this prayer aloud:
God, I confess that Jesus came in the flesh and blood, paid the price for my sins, died on the cross, rose on the third day, ascended to the heavens, and sent the Holy Spirit to help me understand Your ways. For that, I accept Jesus Christ as my savior and Lord, and I welcome the Holy Spirit in my life. In Jesus’s name I pray, amen!
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