January 23, 2017
God is Asking, “Where are You?”
Sharon Jaynes
Today’s Truth
But the LORD God called to the man, ‘Where are you?’ (Genesis 3:9, NIV).
Friend to Friend
Sometimes it is easy to read about Adam and Eve’s failure in the garden and think, “How could they disobey like that!” But the reality is that this is not Adam and Eve’s story alone. It is our story as well. We make decisions on a daily basis that dishonor God. We disobey His commands, take charge of our own lives, and become Lord of our own ring. Then like Eve, we try to cover up our shame and even attempt to hide from God.
Do you know the first question God asked in the Bible? After Adam and Eve hid from God, He asked – Where are you? God knew exactly where they were, what they had done, and what the enemy had stolen from them. However, He decided to remain in relationship with them and begin the process of restoration, which was completed on the Cross of Calvary.
He asks the same question of us today, “Where are you?”
I think “but God” are the two most beautiful words in Scripture. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). When did we become a sinner? The first time we sinned? No, we were born sinners and that sin is what separated us from God. While we were yet sinners, He became the perfect sacrifice for us, not to cover our ugliness, but to cleanse us forever–once and for all.
Salvation Army Officer, John Allen once said, “I deserved to be damned in hell, but God interfered.” God interfered, intervened, and intercepted our death sentence. He sent His Son, who paid the penalty for our sin, and all we have to do to receive God’s pardon is to accept His wonderful gift.
How do we accept God’s gift? “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved” (Romans 10:9).
When you accept Jesus Christ as your own personal Savior, you are freed from the penalty of sin (spiritual death and eternal separation from God), and He gives you a new living spirit. “Salvation is moving from living death to deathless life.”
Why did God do this for us? “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. And whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
When you become a Christian, your dead spirit comes to life, and you become a new person. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, the apostle Paul promises, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” We were crucified with Christ and now we live in Him (Galatians 5:20).
Have you accepted God’s incredible gift? If not, He’s still asking, “Where are you?”
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, Thank You for your great love for me. Thank You for calling me by name and asking, “Where are you?” Thank You for sending your Son to pay the penalty for my sin and save me from eternal separation from You.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
If You’ve Never Asked Jesus to Be Your Savior
If you’ve never asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, you can do that today as you pray this prayer:
Dear Lord, I come to You today as a sinner in need of a Savior. I believe Jesus is Your Son. I believe He was born of a virgin, lived on earth as a man, and died on a cross as a sacrifice for my sins. I believe that on the third day, Jesus rose from the dead, appeared to many, and ascended into heaven where He sits at Your right hand. Jesus, I receive you as my Lord and Savior, and give my life to You. I accept, by faith, that I am now a child of God.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, I would love to hear from you at [email protected].
Now It’s Your Turn
Has there ever been a time when you felt as though you wanted to hide from God?
How did God draw you back to Himself?
Is there any particular sin God has brought to your attention that you need to repent of (turn and go in the opposite direction)?
What assurance do you have that God has forgiven you?
How do you know you have eternal life?
Write your own “but God” story today. I was…………but God………….
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