03/11/2019
Are you dying because of the sin in your life? Perhaps you say no, but do you say this too quickly, having become so accustomed to the subtle sins that you hardly notice them? Our bold sins make an impression on us, and frighten us, but the tiny sins often pass by unnoticed, and yet kill our faith none the less... dragging our faithfulness down like exhaustion drowns a swimmer; slowly draining him of energy until at last his head slips beneath the water.
“Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure.”
Romans 7:13 ESV
Yes, like a swimmer who, in his exuberant freshness, ventures too far from shore suddenly realizes on his return that he doesn’t have the ability to overcome the current and reach the safety of the shore once more, our sins that are hidden by our youthful energies can slyly lure us further and further into the current of worldly life until at last we are lost. Temptation is the childhood of sin.
“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”
James 1:14-15 ESV
Years ago when my sons were young, I took one of them on an adventure to a large and deep cave. The main cavern was lit by lights of various colors which produced an amazing spectacle. All forms of structures had been created over the ages by tiny drips of water that carried within them traces of minerals which slowly built up. It looked beautiful and was intoxicating as it led us on in hope of seeing even more magnificent sights. Then, with only our headlamps to show us the way we crawled deep into the cave’s tight recesses where we could barely squeeze until we reached a small room where we could gather with our fellow travelers, and our guide said “turn off your headlamps.” It was dark as pitch, and we could not see our hand in front of our face. If we were to continue on until the batteries in our lamps became exhausted then we would certainly be doomed. In truth, had the lights in the main cavern been extinguished we would have been lost long before we reached this place.
“And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”
2 Corinthians 11:14 ESV
Satan convinces us we are safe by showing us the false beauty in our lives which is illuminated by colored lights... not of the sun, but of manmade light, and the amazing structures we believe ourselves to be adorned with are made by the accumulation of millions of tiny droplets... each leaving behind a nearly imperceptible trace of sin. Yet in truth we are in the dark, separated from God, sinful, and the structures that Satan has shown us to be so beautiful are hidden in the pitch black of our blindness when he extinguishes his artificial light. Satan is devious and subtle as he sets his snares. Do not be deceived... even in the least.
“But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”
2 Corinthians 11:3 ESV
Tiny sins, disguised by glistening droplets and artificial light, they lead us astray in such an innocent fashion that we are soon lost, and hardly know how we came to be this way! Be diligent in your faith, and intolerant of the little sins in the world that look so harmless. Each molecule of sin that we allow to be carried into our lives is left behind as the water surrounding it evaporates. Are you gradually allowing your faith to be destroyed in such a manner?
“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”
Proverbs 4:23 ESV
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for your Word, and the gospel of your Son Jesus Christ, by which your light is shown upon our lives, and illuminates every sin that is attempting to enter into us. Reveal to us Holy Spirit the true nature of Satan’s subtle devices, and let no sin go unnoticed as he attempts to woo us. Thank you Merciful God for your grace and forgiveness that rescues us from even the most harmless looking sin, because we know that those nearly imperceivable sins corrupt us completely. A tiny grain of sin taints the living water of our faith, and makes us foul upon your tongue. Hear our prayers Lord God, and cleanse us from not only the blatant sins we commit, but also those that come with little notice. Wash us in the blood of Jesus, and perfect us as you remember our sins no more. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who counts all sin as unacceptable, and has made way for our redemption if we will only accept the sacrifice of Jesus, and seek you in true contrition. Praised be your name Merciful Father, and may all the glory of our redemption rest upon your forevermore.
“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”
1 John 1:8-10 ESV
Rich Forbes