April 2007

Draw me close

"(Jesus said) But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself".
John 12:32

Have you ever asked yourself the question "What is the distance between me and God?" Well, some of you may say that God is always near you all thru your life. Yes, I totally agree with you. But the question is "How close can you ever get to God? Are you really as close to God as He expects you to be? Or Is there something that's keeping you distant from God?".

In ancient times the temple of God was designed in such a way that not all portion of the temple was accessible to the common man. There's a specific place in the temple of God where only the priest of the temple had access to. A common man did not get to meet with God. But one could ask for forgiveness of sin only thru sacrifice with a burnt offering and ultimately it is only the priest who can ever meet with God and intercede for the common man. Man was always kept at a distance from God because he was not holy enough to see or talk to God.

Even today many people have a great sense of reverence to God not because He is God, but because they feel that they are inadequate to meet with God because they are not holy enough. Yes, I do agree that we are sinful by nature and we can never match with God's standard.

But God, knowing the sinfulness of men, sent His only Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins. When Jesus came into this world, He kept reiterating His very purpose of being in this world many times, which even His own disciples didn't understand for quite a while. This is exactly what the above-quoted verse means. Jesus referred to His death as being "lifted up", because He meant that only if He dies for our sins and cleanses us, will He be able to draw us closer to Himself, so that we can get closer to God as close as He wants us to.

Have you ever felt that you will never be able to be the kind of person God expects you to be because of your sins? Yes, many times our guilt and fear of having sinned can keep us away from God. At the same time, the devil will take advantage of our guilt and he will keep stabbing the lie that we cannot draw near to God because we are sinful.

My friend, this is where the death of Jesus Christ on the cross for our sins and His resurrection should be acknowledged and we have to confess by faith that by the blood of Jesus we are cleansed. Thru the death of Jesus and the blood He shed for us, we have forgiveness of our sins. Jesus' death for our sins and His resurrection has the power to draw us close to God.

Yes my friend, when we acknowledge what Jesus did for us on the cross, the sacrifice He made for us, we will know how close we are to God. Your sin, guilt and shame need not keep you away from God. Jesus is alive even today!!! Give Him all your guilt and shame and He will wash you clean, as white as snow.

Even at this moment, I would like to remind you that if in case you are keeping away from God due to guilt and shame of having sinned, turn back to this loving God and go boldly on your knees and ask Him to forgive you. Jesus is a loving God who can accept you just as you are. He is not asking for expensive or torturous sacrifices. Jesus has already paid the price for your sins. So run back to Him because He is waiting for you with His arms open wide to receive you with a big smile and a loving heart.

May you feel the awesome presence of God as you turn your life back to Him and say to Him "Lord, Draw me close to You".

Have a blessed month !!!

Your friend,
Eshcol