How does sin separate us from God?

Answer

A straightforward way to define sin is as “the act of going against God and His ways” «for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; », (Romans 3:23). It is logical that when we go against something, we become separated from it. Therefore, by definition, sin creates a separation between us and God.

Because God is the creator and provider of life, being apart from Him implies experiencing death (Romans 6:23;Ephesians 2:1). The Bible portrays the unrepentant as “darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God due to the ignorance within them caused by the hardening of their hearts” «having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: », (Ephesians 4:18). Sin causes our hearts to harden. Continuous sin involves a series of choices, each one rejecting God’s authority in our lives and replacing it with our own. These choices erect a barrier between us and our Creator because we cannot serve two masters. Jesus taught that we “will hate one and love the other” « No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. », (Matthew 6:24). When we are under the rule of sin, not only are we distanced from God, but we are also considered His enemies «And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled », (Colossians 1:21). This separation fromGod’s creation of sin condemns us to an eternity apart from Him—except for one thing: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” (1 Timothy 1:15).

The separation exists because God is perfect and we are not. The universe He created was flawless. The human beings He crafted in His own image were faultless until sin disrupted everything. (Genesis 1:27,31;3:1-24). When Adam and Eve sinned, their “eyes were opened.” “And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.” (Genesis 3:7), and they realized that a division had arisen; something had interposed between them and God. They became conscious of sin and its repercussions. Part of God’s perfection is His flawless justice, and justice requires that sin be addressed. Ignoring the sin would not be just, so the sin created a barrier between humanity and the righteous Judge.

In an action that prefigured God’s ultimate plan, He sacrificed a perfect animal in the Garden of Eden and clothed Adam and Eve with its skin. “Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.” (Genesis 3:21). God considered the blood of that substitute as atonement for the man’s sin. Without the shedding of innocent blood, there could be no forgiveness, and humanity would be eternally estranged from God. “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” (Hebrews 9:22).

(Hebrews 9:22). Jesus Christ’s shedding of His blood on the cross was an intentional act that would forever bridge the separation between mankind and God. “Whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16; cf: John 3:17-18). God counts the blood of His Son as sufficient payment for the debt we owe. When we trust in Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior, God closes the gap that yawned between us (2 Corinthians 5:21; Colossians 2:13-15).

However, even as Christians, our sin can continue to separate us from God’s fellowship. Sin is like a dark curtain pulled over a sunny window. The sun is still there, but the curtain creates a separation from its warmth and light. Repentance lifts the curtain and restores the relationship we once enjoyed “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”, (1 John 1:9). Any unconfessed sin in the life of a follower of Jesus can create a sense of separation from God. God does not leave us, but the light and warmth of fellowship were cut off when we chose sin. We do not lose our salvation, because Jesus paid our debt in full. But we can lose the love, joy, and peace of the Holy Spirit when we persist in living apart from God.

King David felt such a separation when he sinned. He lusted after another man’s wife, slept with her, and then had her husband killed to cover up his sin (2 Samuel 11). God was displeased with David’s actions and sent Nathan the prophet to confront him (2 Samuel 12). Although David sinned greatly, he repented thoroughly. Psalm 51 is David’s cry of repentance to the Lord. He suffered consequences because of his sin. The infant conceived in that adulterous union died.As a part of David’s judgment (2 Samuel 12:15-25), but when David repented, the separation his sin had created was gone. When we sin and God confronts us, we should not defend, justify, or excuse our transgression. We must repent of it and let the forgiveness of God restore us to fellowship with Him.

For every human problem, God has a solution. Even though we created the problem, God rescues us when we call on His name (Proverbs 18:10; Romans 8:28-30). Separation from God does not have to define our relationship with Him. We can confess our sin, trust in His offer of salvation through faith in His Son, and accept the full pardon Jesus’ sacrifice provides (Isaiah 43:25; Psalm 103:12; John 1:29; Hebrews 8:12). Sin separates us from God, but the grace and mercy of Jesus restores anyone who will receive Him as Lord of their lives.