Are you where you want to be in your walk with Jesus?
On a scale of 1–10, how close do you feel to Him right now?
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1 = Not at all
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10 = We walked on water together this morning!
The truth is simple: Closeness with Jesus = effectiveness in life.
Walking with Jesus is not always easy, but it is always right. When we strive to become more like Christ, we make the greatest impact in our families, schools, workplaces, and communities.
But let’s be honest—walking with Christ is hard. Reading your Bible three times a day won’t magically erase life’s struggles. There are real battles that pull our eyes off Jesus.
After more than 25 years in ministry, I’ve seen three major obstacles that keep believers from experiencing the abundant life Jesus promises in John 10:10.
1. Unforgiveness
Unforgiveness is one of the greatest barriers in the Christian life.
Many have been deeply hurt—betrayed, falsely accused, abused, or abandoned. To tell someone to “just get over it” is cruel and dismissive. And yet, Jesus calls us to forgive.
On the cross, as He was mocked and tortured, Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them” (Luke 23:34). In Matthew 6:14–15, He taught:
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Forgiveness is not a feeling—it’s a decision. It is choosing, again and again, to release someone from the debt they owe us.
As Jesus said in Matthew 6, forgiven people forgive people.
2. Sexual Sin
Paul gave a serious warning about sexual sin in 1 Corinthians 6:18:
“Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.”
Unlike other sins, sexual sin has unique consequences. It doesn’t just break relationships; it wounds us deeply. That’s why Paul didn’t say “avoid it”—he said run from it.
Many wonder if Jesus can truly forgive past sexual sin. Others feel trapped in ongoing patterns and fear they’ll never be free.
But the gospel brings hope:
“He forgave us all our sins” (Colossians 2:13).
All means all. No matter your past, Jesus offers complete forgiveness and the power to walk in freedom.
