Arnold, who is from New Brunswick, Canada, was recently visiting his son’s family in Texas. He enjoyed the warm climate and being outside doing yard work. Little did he expect when he was raking that something on the ground looking like a stick would turn into something very different!
However, no sooner had his rake struck this ordinary-looking stick when it suddenly came to life and quickly went into action, viciously biting Arnold’s hand. This ordinary-looking stick was a deadly copperhead snake! Arnold was wearing gloves, but still the snake’s bite went through the glove and was serious. He would become very sick or even die if he didn’t get to a hospital quickly.
The hospital was at least a half-hour drive, but it was still in time to save his life. However, he had to be hospitalized for several days.
This ordinary-looking stick reminds us of sin which sometimes looks very harmless, but when touched it suddenly becomes deadly. Often it strikes by leading a person to form a bad habit or by leaving the person feeling guilty and miserable in their conscience. But there is a remedy for any person who is feeling guilty about his or her sins. The Bible tells us, “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). “In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried to my God: and He did hear my voice” (2 Samuel 22:7). He will hear your distress call and will save you, cleansing you from all your sins and guilt.
“Jesus Christ . . . loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood” (Revelation 1:5). Have you come to Him to have your sins and guilt washed away?
ML-06/04/2006