Sins Separated

I grew up listening to preachers quoting that sin separates us from God. Most used Isaiah 59::1-2.

Isa 59:1  Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:

Isa 59:2  But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

Many have taught that this is speaking of a single sin such as a bad thought or saying a cuss word, but this verse has a distinct context. We shouldn't feel that God demands perfection over every part of life. We are sinners and are not perfect. As Christians the blood of Jesus cleanses us.

One sin can separate Christians if done in opposition, just look at Adam and Eve. Yet, Christians live in a world of daily sins and Christ knows we struggle..

So, what is the context? Read the chapter before and the rest of this chapter to get a sense of the context.

1. It isn't speaking of people who slipped up but of people who had begun to speak against God's ways and to exhibit harmful behaviors.

2. They were openly fighting against God's ways.

Isa 59:3  For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.

Isa 59:4  None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.

It is speaking of a people like the Jewish nation who spoke openly against Christ and had his blood on their hands. They created lies to condemn him and openly rejected his word. They did not repent toward his word.

Certainly, sin done in open opposition vs sin done in sorrow and a repenting heart are different.

This reminds me of denominations who willingly reject Christ's teachings.

Isa 59:12  For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions are with us; and as for our iniquities, we know them;

Isa 59:13  In transgressing and lying against the LORD, and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.

These are not simply sins of weakness but are sins of rebellion.

The rest of the chapter lets us know that one mark of God's people is they preserve God's word. Yes, Christians sin, but they keep the word in their heart and on their tongues.

Isa 59:20  And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.

Isa 59:21  As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.

If you have rejected God's word and spoken against it as many denominations have, return to the covenant and accept it word for word, and let it abide in your heart. Preserve his word in your heart and turn from your transgressions.

Give it a try. Yes, you will sin, but you would be surprised at how you can overcome many of your sins if you try. God demands that we sincerely try.