Ezekiel 22:30
"Anyone who serves God will discover sooner or later that the greatest hindrance to his work is not others, but himself."
When we find ourselves distant from God, the problem is not that God has moved.
Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear. (Isaiah 59:1-2)
The good news is that this separation doesn't have to be permanent.
We'll never outgrow the need for forgiveness.
#1. We Need to Walk in God's Forgiveness.
Relationship and fellowship are not the same thing.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
(Psalm 51:1-2)
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me...Restore to me the joy of your salvation.
(Psalm 51:10,12)
#2. We Need to Seek Reconciliation With Others.
"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift." (Matthew 5:23–24)
"Stop. Go. Make things right."
God cares too much about unity, peace, and forgiveness for us to brush those things aside.
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (Romans 12:18)
And if you're in the wrong and there is something you can do to make things right, you make things right.
Sometimes we say these things to those we've hurt or offended so that we can avoid taking responsibility for our actions.
You have to do your part in making things right.
Do your part.
#3. We Need to Extend Forgiveness to Others
Forgiving others is not optional — it's essential to fellowship with Him.
But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept. (Genesis 33:4)
He let it go.
We forgive because we're forgiven.
One empowers the other.
If someone has hurt you or offended you, it's time to forgive them.
Refusing to forgive only invites more turmoil into your life.
To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.
If there's a score to be settled, God will settle it.
The Lord stood at my side and gave me strength. (2 Timothy 4:17)
It's so much better to be close to God.
When we remember how much God has forgiven each one of us, it's so much easier to forgive one another.
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that He lavished on us. (Ephesians 1:7-8)