Sin separates . . .
- A husband and wife who vowed to love one another until death parted them
- Sisters who used to share all their secrets
- A mother from her child
- A child from his father
- Cousins who grew up together
- Friends who were closer than siblings
- Christians from their brothers and sisters in Christ
- Man from His Heavenly Father
Is sin worth separation? Is the temporary, passing pleasure of sin worth losing a friend, spouse, or sibling? Is sin worth separation from the Lord?
Sin is certainly not worth the separation from God.
“Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.” (Isaiah 59:1-2)
Satan is always hoping that man will think sin is worth separation from God, hoping that man will choose sin over the Lord.
In Hebrews 11:24-27 the Bible speaks of the faith of Moses: “By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.”
Man ought to look to Moses’ example: choose God, rather than the momentary pleasure of sin. Remember that the Lord provides a way for every temptation man must endure, as stated in 1st Corinthians 10:13: “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
See also “Helping Children Overome Temptation” for ideas on how to overcome temptation.