29 Jun Series Four; Why do I always run away from God when I do something wrong?
On Sunday we continued our exploration of the “God Connection” and spent some time discussing the question “Why do I always run away from God when I do something wrong?”
We started the message with a excerpt of a Veggie Tales video entitled The Fib From Outer Space. The short film illustrates the fear and shame we experience when we do something wrong.
Our message centered on Adam and Eve (Genesis chapters 2 and 3 in the Old Testament) who were told by God not to eat the fruit of a certain tree. Up to that point, they had enjoyed an intimate relationship with God and Genesis 2:25 says that they were “naked and were not ashamed”. Now, that’s total freedom! But eating from the tree was in disobedience of God. They did something wrong and they came into consciousness of their nakedness and were suddenly ashamed.
What they did next is very telling of how we tend to react when we sin against God: firstly, they sewed some fig leaves together to hide their nakedness – their shame (Genesis 3:7) and then they hid from God because they were afraid (Genesis 3:8).
Let’s be honest – how many times have we tried to “save” ourselves with our own special brand of “fig leaves”? We make excuses, blame others or try to justify our actions. As time goes on and the distance between ourselves, and God grows we say things like “I’ll go back to God once I get myself together,” or “When I get this job/marriage/position I will be able to face God.”
And how about hiding? Yes – we do that too! We sin and panic and run away from God, from the church and from His Word.
Ah… fig leaves and hiding– double combo! We haven’t changed much from Adam and Eve, people!
Focusing on our sin triggers fear and shame. Fear and shame imprisons us by keeping us fearful of Him and ashamed of our wrong-doing. Which in turn causes us to hide from God rather than pursue Him for forgiveness. Yet although God is HOLY He knows we are human and are frail. He says to Adam and Eve “where are you?” Now this is God – He clearly knows where they are geographically! He created the whole garden! What He is asking is “where are you in your hearts? Are you ready to confess what you did and acknowledge your sin?” The fig leaves will eventually dry out and crack and ultimately expose the sin and shame – which is true of all the inadequate coverings we self-create to cover us when we fail. They are always inferior and temporary.
God’s grace always makes a way back to him when we sin. He loves us and when we understand quite how much we would not be afraid of Him or choose to live outside of His grace in disgrace and shame. Romans 6:14 promises this: “Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.”
So, when you sin or make mistakes don’t run away from Him – run to Him! Psalm 139:7-12 states clearly we can never, ever actually run away from His presence. He is in the deepest depths and in the highest heights! When God asks you where you are, He wants the GPS location of your heart. He wants you to connect with Him and allow Him to cover you in His love, His forgiveness, His grace and His peace.
No Comments