Your Biggest Problem and What to Do about It By Rick Warren
“It is your evil that has separated you from your God. Your sins cause him to turn away from you, so he does not hear you.”Isaiah 59:2(NCV)
Today, most cultures don’t think sin is ugly. In fact, many people think sin is fun!
Think about entertainment media. TV shows, social media memes, and movies often use sin for humor. This is Satan’s strategy: to get you to laugh at the same things that put Jesus on the cross. Satan disguises sin to make it look attractive. Rarely in media do you see sin’s consequences.
If you want to know how ugly sin really is, look at the cross. Jesus’ suffering shows how much it takes to pay for your sins.
Sin has all sorts of consequences in your life! Here are three of them:
Sin alienates you from God. Why? Because God is holy, and you are not. Isaiah 59:2 says,“It is your evil that has separated you from your God. Your sins cause him to turn away from you, so he does not hear you” (NCV).Sin always leaves estrangement in its wake, even between you and God.
Sin creates significant stress in your life. One of the greatest sources of stress is unrecognized and unresolved guilt. King David said, “My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear” (Psalm 38:4 NIV). Holding on to sin takes an emotional toll. Breaking God’s laws leads to worry, fear, guilt, and insecurity.
Sin condemns you. When you violate God’s laws, there’s always a penalty—in both self-condemnation and judgment from a righteous God. Psalm 7:11 says, “God is a righteous judge and always condemns the wicked” (GNT).
You may think your biggest problem is a relationship conflict, health issue, or trouble finding a job. But the reality is, your biggest problem is that you’re at war with God.
That’s why you often get so frustrated! That’s why you sometimes struggle to sleep at night. That’s why you’re stressed out. You weren’t made to live out of harmony with your Creator, who loves you. He made you, and he sent his Son to die for you. He wants you to be in harmony with him.
Repent of your sin today—and every day—so that you can be at peace with God.
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
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