We learn in Genesis 3 that after Adam and Eve sinned, they hid from the presence of God. Or at least they thought that they hid themselves from the presence of God! The Psalmist said in Psalm 139:7, “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?”
Sadly, like Adam and Eve, the vast majority of people try to “cover” their sin and guilty conscience with religious fig leaves like sacraments or rituals. Others seek to “earn” their forgiveness from God by doing good works. Let me be clear on this point. God does expect those who profess to have faith in Jesus to love their neighbor and do good works.
Jesus Himself responded to the question of what was the great commandment of the law this way. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40).
However, the only way that any sinner can enter into the presence of the Lord is via the new birth. Jesus answered and said unto him, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again” (John 3:3-7).
The only way to come out of hiding from God and enter into His presence is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, and until you are hidden in Christ, you are hiding from Him. Reader, are you hiding from God or hidden in Christ? SELAH
