It’s been a snowy couple of weeks
here in Central Pennsylvania. And with the cold temperatures, the snow just
isn’t going away. What was once a pure and pristine blanket of white,
reflecting the brilliance of the sun, is now a dirty, disheveled pile, heaped
up along the streets and roadways marred by cinders, tiny stones, salt, tree
litter, and critter pee.
In Psalm 51:7 David says, “Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” (Psalm 51:7) The trouble is, like the snow now lining our streets, it’s difficult to remain pure and clean, to avoid the temptations that come our way. We don’t always make the choice to please God rather than ourselves. Like the gradual sullying of the snow by dirt and grime, we find ourselves once again stained by sin and selfishness. We become a poor reflection of Jesus.
The Apostle Paul struggled with this, too. In Romans 7:24 he asks, “Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?” Thankfully, Romans 7 flows into Romans 8 and offers the hope we so desperately need. "There is now no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit frees you from the power of sin that leads to death.”
God’s Holy Spirit lives in us who have asked Jesus to save us and have believed He died on the cross as payment for our sins, taking the punishment we deserved. God’s Spirit makes us aware of our sins so we can confess them and be forgiven. (1 John 1:9) We can once again be pure and holy, able to let God’s light be reflected in our lives.
Be encouraged!
