As I sit here looking out the window I began thinking how this snow fall is like the sin that so often enters my life. You know, those temptations that seem oh so fun at the moment but then you are buried under ten feet and it's hard to get out. Sin can look pretty to us. We can watch it from the window as temptation or we can rush out and jump in feet first. One thing about playing in the snow. You always come in wet head to toe. You shiver and it takes forever to get warm again. Your toes are numb and your fingers are tingling. Too long out in the cold and you will find yourself without both of them.
I remember going out in the snow as a kid and my mom would only allow me to be out so long. She knew I would either get hurt or be sick. If you know me well you know that is still true today. We tend to think we will be okay. Just a little won't hurt us. We think we know the dangers, but we still walk onto the ice. Thin or thick we still find ourselves falling through as we begin to hear the cracking around us.
Sin is the same. We seem to play in it too long and before too long we have lost feeling where we once had warmth. Sin is bitter. It freezes all that was once alive. Just a little snow is dangerous to drive in just as a little sin will send us crashing before we know it.
I have never witnessed an avalanche, but I have read about them enough. Once they come tumbling down you become paralyzed underneath. What once looked thrilling as you were standing on top now is devastating as you are crushed under by all the weight.
Now, if the story ended there it would be sad. It would be a story without hope and no one wants to read those. Oh, we have a Savior. We have one ready to rescue us in our time of need. We have a God who gave His life for us.
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23
There is no difference between a dusting of sin and an avalanche that falls. Either one will send us spinning out of control and we will find ourselves screaming for help. Reaching for hope that someone will rescue us. Friends, all we must do is call out to Jesus. Just by calling His name is on the move to sweep you up in His love.
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus whom set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus." Romans 3:23-26
We don't have to be in the cold snow. We don't have to find ourselves buried deep. Whether it is covering our toes or we are up to our knees sin is sin my friends. You can't play in the snow even as white as it is and come in without some still on you. Even if you brush it off you still feel the effects deep inside.
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
Get out of the cold today. Warm yourselves by His love that will light your heart a fire. Listen to this next verse.
"Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." 1 Corinthians 10:12-13
We can find comfort and rest in the Lord. He will give every believer power and strength to overcome all. We don't have to be trapped by sin. We don't have to allow temptation to overtake us. We can overcome simply by calling out to God for help. He will make a way for us. The more we seek Him and study His Word the more we are prepared for what is to come. When that sin begins to fall all around us we can reach for God's hand and He will lead us to safety.
Just because something looks pretty doesn't mean it's safe. Just because it's inviting doesn't mean we need to turn in our R.S.V.P for the event. If you are struggling with sin today open God's Word. He knows just what is around you. You might have to pick up and move and change your surroundings. Whatever is taking you away from God is effecting you in harmful ways. For now it might just be a tickling in your toe, but if you stay in long enough, it will soon lose all feeling and then before we know it we must amputate. Why not amputate what is tempting us instead?
"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20
