Does God Really See All My Sin?

Then the Lord God called to the man [Adam], and said to him, ‘Where are you?’ Genesis 3:9

Adam was a man who was familiar with the presence of God.  Yet, when he sinned against God, he hid in fear… in fear of this holy God who was now his judge.  In his shame, Adam did not want God to see his sin.  But the problem with Adam’s attempt in the garden was that he was completely unable to hide from the God who knows all.

There have been times in my life when I, like Adam, have tried to hide my sin from God.  A while back I was reading through Hebrews and came across the following passage:

And no creature is hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.  Hebrews 4:13

Naked and exposed?  I don’t like the sound of that.  In fact, it sounds like what I’m sure Adam felt in the garden.  For the first time in his life, he was aware of his nakedness.  Despite his attempts to hide, he was exposed.  It is quite an understatement to say this was an uncomfortable position for Adam… to be naked before a holy God.

Yet, though Adam’s sin separated him from God, God was still drawing near to be with him. God offered the promise that a Redeemer would come, a sacrifice would be made for sins so that Adam and all those who believe can be reconciled with God.

When I look around and see sin in my life, it is comforting to read on in Hebrews.  Through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, I am no longer naked and exposed before the judge in guilt and shame…  I can come boldly before His throne with confidence, holding fast to the hope found in my Savior.

And no creature is hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.  Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.  Hebrews 4:13 – 16

Through the cross of Jesus Christ, God the Judge does not excuse our sin; He offers forgiveness for it.  He allows us to come and stand before Him with confidence, no longer in nakedness and shame but clothed in the righteousness of Christ.

Let us thank Him today for His sacrifice and the forgiveness He offers us!

[copyrighted, 2009, Emily Schankweiler]