Thursday, June 6, 2013 -- Rebuilding Relationship With God

We’ve probably thought a lot about how our sins have hurt the people in our lives.  But we may be surprised to find out how intimately acquainted God is with our sin, and the emotional impact it has on our relationship with him. 

The Bible warns us:  Do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30 NLT) 

We can actually cause God grief by our actions, because the Holy Spirit of God is always with us.  When we enter into sin, we take him with us.

God is our loving Father!  Even when we didn’t realize it, God was involved with all of the details of our lives.  He saw everything!  He knows the pain in store for us and others when we make bad decisions.  God grieves deeply when we do things that hurt us and others around us that He cares for.  We need to ask ourselves when and how we may have caused God sorrow and grief by our actions. 

O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.   You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! (Psalm 139:1-6 NLT)

Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins.  Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. (Psalm 51:1,4 NLT)

So as we consider those we’ve harmed and become willing to make amends to them all, we need to admit our own sinfulness and our need for God’s forgiveness.  We need to acknowledge the effects of our actions on others around us and God within us.  Then and only then can God help us understand and do what the responsible action is to genuinely make amends for wrongs done.

All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.  We have left God’s paths to follow our own.  Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all. (Isaiah 53:6 NLT)