Do you recall the moment when you surrendered your heart to Jesus? That profound feeling of liberation as if all your burdens were lifted, and the weight of the world was lifted from your shoulders? You found solace in a Bible-believing community, attending faithfully and becoming an active participant in its endeavors. Perhaps you took on roles such as a Sunday School Teacher, volunteered for Vacation Bible School and various fundraisers, and even embarked on Mission Trips.
Your commitment extended beyond attendance; you faithfully tithed and often gave generously beyond the customary ten percent. You embraced fellowship with your brethren, extending your care to visiting the sick and those confined to their homes. Each name on the Prayer List found its place in your heartfelt supplications, and you seized every opportunity to share the message of Jesus Christ with those who were yet to know Him, leading many to His grace.
In the midst of your devotion, a palpable joy radiated from you, a manifestation of the Light of Christ shining brightly within. Your unwavering dedication was evident to all who crossed your path.
Suddenly, the radiant light that once illuminated your path seems to have dimmed, and the joy you once felt in your relationship with God has faded. In this moment of uncertainty, it’s crucial to pose a fundamental question: Who moved?
Various factors can hinder our walk with God, including associating with non-believers, being unevenly yoked in marriage, and a lack of consistent church attendance. By addressing these obstacles, individuals can cultivate a stronger and more meaningful relationship with God. However, at the core of this disconnect lies the pervasive issue of sin.
Sin, in its myriad forms, serves as the ultimate barrier in our journey with God. Its insidious presence clouds our perception, distorts our priorities, and erodes the intimacy we once shared with the Divine. Recognizing and addressing the role of sin is essential in realigning ourselves with God’s will and restoring the vibrancy of our faith.
Numbers 32:23 (KJV) …ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.
Sin carries consequences, even for Christians. While our sins are forgiven the moment we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, they can still impact our relationship with God. Willfully indulging in sin often leads to unwise decisions, making us vulnerable to deception by Satan. It weakens our resolve and stunts our mental and spiritual growth, hindering our journey toward spiritual maturity.
Moreover, sin disrupts our prayer life and hampers our worship by quenching the Holy Spirit’s presence within us. As Christians, we recognize when our actions stray from God’s will, affecting our ability to effectively witness to others and potentially deterring us from sharing our faith altogether. Sin can create a sense of estrangement from God, causing us to feel abandoned and disconnected from His presence.
Furthermore, our relationships can profoundly impact our walk with God. Cultivating toxic friendships and engaging in incompatible relationships can have detrimental effects on our spiritual well-being. God’s guidance regarding our social circle and life partner is clear, and straying from His directives can lead us away from His intended path for us.
Philippians 2:19-23 (KJV) “I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly to you, that I also may be of good comfort when I get word concerning you. For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your welfare. For all seek their own, not the things of Christ Jesus. But you know of his proven worth, that as a son with a father, he has served with me in the gospel.”
In essence, it is prudent not to closely associate with unbelievers. Therefore, it is crucial that we exercise wisdom in choosing our friends. This does not imply that we should completely avoid interactions with unbelievers in settings such as school, work, or other unavoidable circumstances. Instead, it emphasizes the importance of discerning who we spend the majority of our time with.
It’s important to remember that the influence of sin often clouds our judgment. Maintaining close friendships with unbelievers can lead us to neglect our duty to witness to them, turning a blind eye to opportunities for spiritual growth, and eventually, even participating in behaviors contrary to our beliefs.
2 Corinthians 6:14 (KJV) “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”
Hence, it is absolutely crucial to align ourselves solely with Bible-believing Christians. Associating with those who share our faith is essential to safeguarding our walk with God. Not only should we seek to be in harmony with believers, but this principle also extends to marriage. A union devoid of Christian values is destined for failure or will undoubtedly introduce significant challenges into our spiritual journey.
It stands to reason that marrying another Christian is the most sensible choice. If one spouse prioritizes Christ in the marriage while the other does not, how can it endure without compromise? It’s vital to recognize that sustaining a marriage requires mutual commitment, and the absence of unity in faith can easily unravel the fabric of the relationship. As the adage goes, “It takes two to hold a marriage together, and only one to pull it apart.”
Hebrews 10:25 (KJV) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Just as sin and toxic relationships can impact our relationship with God, so too can a lack of fellowship. It’s crucial for Christians to maintain healthy interactions with fellow believers. The gathering of believers not only strengthens our prayer life, as mentioned in Matthew 18:20 (KJV), “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them,” but it also provides encouragement, fosters spiritual growth, and holds us accountable.
Being among fellow brethren offers us invaluable support, aids in our spiritual development, and reminds us of our responsibility to one another in our journey with God. While it’s technically possible to be a Christian and not attend church, engaging in fellowship with other believers offers numerous benefits that contribute to our spiritual well-being.
In conclusion, the journey of faith is often obstructed by several key factors that hinder our walk with God. Sin, whether in action or in thought, creates a barrier between ourselves and the divine. Associating closely with non-believers can lead to spiritual compromise and distancing from God’s will. Unevenly yoking ourselves in marriage, straying from the shared foundation of Christian values, can introduce discord and challenges into our spiritual lives. Additionally, a lack of consistent church attendance deprives us of the nourishment and fellowship needed for spiritual growth. By recognizing and addressing these obstacles, individuals can take proactive steps towards deepening their relationship with God, fostering spiritual resilience, and embracing the path of faith with greater clarity and purpose.
