Click here to read the Old Paths Journal.
Why Are You Running?
Genesis 3:9
"And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?"
God asked Adam and Eve a disturbing question when He asked, "Where are thou?" What would cause anyone to hide from God? Why would anyone ever run from the presence of the God Who made them? However, this happens over and over again. Adam and Eve had a perfect relationship with God, yet through a series of actions they found themselves running and hiding from Him. The same things that caused Adam and Eve to run from God are the same things that cause people to run from God today.
First, wrong associations will cause people to run from God. Adam and Eve associated with Satan. This wrong association caused them to run from the presence of the One Who wanted to help them. Wrong associations will often cause people to run from those who love them and want to help them. People will run from their preacher when they have wrong associations. People will run from their parents when they have wrong associations. People will run from the very ones who want to help them, and all because of wrong associations.
Second, disobedience will cause people to run from God. Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating of the forbidden tree. You will always know when someone has disobeyed because they will run from their authority. When you obey your authority, you will want to be in their presence. One of the reasons why people run from authority is because they have been disobedient.
Third, indecency will cause people to run from God. When Adam and Eve sinned, they knew they were naked. Their indecency brought shame when God's presence came. It is amazing how soon people will become indecent when they are running from God. I have watched people have good dress standards become indecent when they started running from God. If you would be ashamed to be dressed a certain way in the presence of God, then most likely you are running from God. If the preacher caught you dressed in a way that would embarrass you, then let me kindly say that you are running from God.
Fourth, compromise will cause people to run from God. When Adam and Eve sewed fig leaves to dress themselves, they were compromising. Compromise always leads to wrong actions. Instead of trying to change God to meet your standards, you need to change your standards to meet God. A sure sign of compromise is when people start attacking the Word of God, which is the King James Bible for the English speaking people. Their attempt to change the power and authority of the Word of God is a sign they are running from God.
Last, improper roles of authority will cause people to run from God. In verse 17, God showed that Adam and Eve disobeyed His roles for authority. You can tell when a society is running from God by how they try to say that God's roles for authority are antiquated. The roles of authority never change. Whenever a person is running from God, they won't mind changing the roles of authority in their life.
Do you see any of the signs of running from God in your life? I challenge you to be sure to stay close to God by avoiding the areas that would cause you to run from Him. When you are right with God, you won't run from Him. When you are right with God, you will want to be wherever He may be. Be careful that you don't run from the One Who wants to help you. Stay close, for in His presence you will find life's richest blessings.