The Hero Of History By Pete BriscoeSample

Closing the Distance Between You and God

The vague and tenuous hope that God is too kind to punish the ungodly has become a deadly opiate for the consciences of millions. — A. W. Tozer

The separation caused by sin is haunting. We were created for the very purpose of being in intimate union with God. And when that union was broken by sin, the personal intimacy we were created for was shattered by an impassable distance.

Over and over again, distance was used as a symbol of God’s transcendence over those who weren’t in Christ. Not only was God highly exalted, but our sin kept us away from Him.  

• I will give thanks to the Lord because of His righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High. (Psalm 7:17)
• “Keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between you and the ark; do not go near it.” (Joshua 3:4)
• I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. (Isaiah 6:1)
• “Put limits for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful that you do not approach the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain is to be put to death.’” (Exodus 19:12)

That seems really harsh, but it was actually merciful! God kept distance because He knew that anything unholy that came into His presence would be instantly obliterated. His wrath is indiscriminate. If there is sin, it’s destroyed. Period.  

Sin separates, but the cross closes the gap. Praise God that for those who are “in Christ,” the distance has been closed by the cross!

For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy… Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus… let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. (Hebrews 10:14, 19, 22, emphasis mine)

Oh Lord, help me to measure the full distance of sin’s separation—that I might be astounded by the fact that I have “drawn near” to You and You have pulled me so close to You! Amen.