What is more ridiculous is the fact that I do this constantly regarding the sin in my own life. I will paint over it, making it look as if it’s not there. I will attempt to scrub, scrub, scrub it away, leaving the impression of a clean, pure self. But on the inside, there it is, lurking, waiting to seep out. I desperately hope it doesn’t succeed when you come around. Oh yes, when I’m with you, I am sure to wear the freshest coat of paint! When I’m with my kiddos, now that’s a different story. Just as they catch sight of our moldy bathroom walls countless times each day, they also get to see the sin in me that so easily seeps out when I’m not on guard (Heb 12:1).
I once heard it told this way: You’re driving down the road, you hit a pothole, and your scolding hot coffee goes spewing all over the crotch of your pants. Immediately profanities come flying out of your mouth. Why did you just say those words? Was it the fault of the pothole? No, it was the coffee’s fault; if it hadn’t been so darn hot…. No, actually it was Starbuck’s fault for selling you such hot coffee- I see a lawsuit in the near future. Ridiculous, right! We all know those words came out of your mouth not because of a pothole, or the coffee, or the establishment that brewed it. Those words came out of your mouth simply because they were there to start with! That mold seeps through paint only because it is already in the wall. I cannot blame it on the shower’s steam, or the horrid fumes that are released in that room (and believe me, they are horrid!). No, it is simply that the mold is within the walls, growing, and waiting to show it’s ugliness! And the only way to be rid of it, is to rip out that wall. UGH. And this is something I am not doing any time soon.
However, I must attack the sin in my life immediately. I must rip it out! Jesus said if your foot causes you to sin, then cut it off because it is better to enter Heaven with one foot than to live eternity without Him with two. He said if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out! It’s better to spend eternity with Him in Heaven with one eye than to end up in Hell with both (Mark 9:45,47). Jesus takes sin seriously. Ought we to also. Praise God that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleans us from all unrighteousness (1Jn 1:9). When circumstances expose the ugly sins of your life, don’t cast blame, or attempt to cover them up, simply confess them to your Savior J
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
~Hebrews 12:1
I must tell you that the same mold can be found above our shower and you're right, it is embarrassing when company comes over - not to mention hard to clean. So you're not alone!! (hopefully that helps!)
ReplyDeleteAnd what a truth it is that we try and try to paint over our sin rather than dealing with the issue of the heart. We're too selfish to admit that our work only covers the tip top of the ice burg and leaves the rest completely untouched. Thankfully, God is faithful even when we aren't. The truth is that we'll never be perfect, but He loves us just the same (that doesn't mean we aren't called to work towards perfection though).
Amen Rachel Allison. In the words of Paul, "Not that I have already attained, but I press forward..." (something like that). We definately need to always strive to be more and more like our Savior. And, praise God, someday we will be rid of these wretched tents and the sin that so easily entangles us. I am encouraged often with the thought that when my God looks at me, He sees the righteousness of His Son. Though I cannot grasp the fullness of that, I take great comfort in it.
ReplyDeleteAnd I am thankful for your mold :) Sometimes we just need to know that we are not alone! :) Thanks so much for taking the time to read and comment, Rachel Allison. May He who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all you ask or think continue to bless you and bless others through you.