I love the entire Scripture, but I’ve always been especially partial to the book of Hebrews. It’s partially because I long for a close, approachable relationship with the Father, and it’s (in part) the book of Hebrews that taught me to seek that, taught me that God himself seeks it.
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body, and since we have a high priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold resolutely to the hope we confess, for He who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:19-23)
Let us draw near.
And if you know God wants something, it’s a good bet that Satan opposes it.
This Scripture makes a connection between our nearness to God, the assurance of faith, and the state of our conscience. That means that what we do after we sin is probably a crucial matter. We need to know how to handle the aftereffects of our sin. Because we will sin.
Too often, our instinct is to hide, as Adam and Eve did. We imagine God saying, “Get out of my sight. I don’t want to see you right now.” It’s certainly good to bear some humility towards God, and too often we let it drive us from God. We have this ingrained belief that we should hide from a God greater and holier than us,
That’s letting the devil win twice.
He tempts us to sin, then seeks to use that sin as a wedge between us and God any way he can. A diabolical one-two punch, the second half of which we don’t often even register.
Contrast it with David’s approach to repentance:
God, create a clean heart for me
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not banish me from Your presence
or take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore the joy of Your salvation to me,
and give me a willing spirit. (Psalm 51:10-12)
David seeks more of God in this time, not less. This is the guy who just will not shut up throughout Psalms about the greatness of God’s presence. Instead of slinking away from God’s presence and trying again on Thursday, he actively repents and seeks God’s intervention in his heart.
Don’t sin. But when you do, turn to God in that very moment. Repent and ask him to change your heart. Draw near.
Near. To the God whose mountain could not even be touched, whose very face made Isaiah fear for his life, who routs armies before him and changes the heart of kings.
That God wants me near.
I think I will accept his offer.
Brandon J. Adams 
Amen, Brandon. It’s a bummer, because often when we do something wrong our first instinct is to run away or to hide. God is a God you want to run right towards at the first sign of trouble. He’s a good, good Father. He’ll fix it, He’ll make it all better, He’ll walk through it with you. In Christ there is no condemnation. Condemnation is a people thing, and a tool of the enemy.
Can’t promise that there aren’t any consequences to sin, but I sure can promise that the Lord always meets us with grace and mercy.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I love all that. Thank you.
LikeLike
nice! This made me think twice
LikeLike
Excellent post Brandon! Romans 8:38 comes to mind. The subtly of the wedge to keep us from drawing near and the tearing of the curtain, which is symbolically Christ’s body, that gives us access to confess and receive forgiveness, is the difference between defeat and victory, not in ourselves but in Jesus. Great post! Blessings my friend.
LikeLiked by 2 people
And to you too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brandon, Psalm 51 was what I was reading last night and those verses were exactly what I memorized. I was deeply touched by David’s humility. This is a great model for drawing ourselves closer to God. Amen!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Psalm 51 is a frequent stop for me, too.
LikeLike
Really good message here. I am sure that we all have been there. Having our shame and guilt keep us from turning to God does indeed double the problem caused by the sin. Thank you so much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No problem, sir. Thanks for swinging by.
LikeLike
Great post! I used to be this kind of person who would slink away and hide from God for days after realizing I had sinned. But I have since learned from Peter to not do that. Jesus told Peter that he would betray him BEFORE the opportunity ever crossed Peter’s mind. Jesus knew beforehand that Peter would betray him–and yet, it never changed his love for Peter, and it never changed the plans he had for Peter. Likewise, I learned, God is never surprised by our sins. Nor do our sins change his love or plans for us. So, there is never any need to hide from God.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Exactly. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Very heartfelt. Thanks for writing this post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for reading it!
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Brandon J. Adams.
LikeLike
What a great message for us today: “He tempts us to sin, then seeks to use that sin as a wedge between us and God any way he can. A diabolical one-two punch, the second half of which we don’t often even register.”
So often, it’s what we miss that blindsides us. Before we know it, we are far off our path. Great job! God bless!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Nancy!
LikeLike
Great post about what we should do after we have sinned. I have thinking a lot lately about how to be more like David in the Bible. David had a great understanding of how much God loves him unconditionally.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Far better understanding than I, that’s for sure.
LikeLike