The Sinlifter

The television commercials for “All” brand detergent used to mesmerize me when I was a young child. For those reading this who have never seen these commercials, they featured stains, spills, and the like mystically flying away from the clothes they once inhabited. As if by magical incantation, the dirt and grime was exorcised from its host. Were these blemishes being utterly vaporized or simply leaving this dimension to found their own society of stains? Whatever the case, “All” was an amazing product and I knew it would be available whenever my family tarnished its clothing. Hebrews 10, as well as many other scriptures, reminds me that the blood of Christ removes our iniquities. Just as easily as blemishes are lifted from clothing by “All”, even our worst sins are forgiven through Christ. Grace is the central message of the gospel of Christ. Though we face temptation and moments of weakness, Christ continually offers grace.

It is also stated in Hebrews that deliberate sin will lead to judgment by God. The sacrifice of Jesus isn’t a ticket to sin without consequence. Having detergent doesn’t mean I need to jump in every puddle I see. Jesus’ sacrifice is an invitation to a new way to live. As Christians we need to leave a mark on this world that is different from the stains left by sin. We need to proudly express our allegiance to God and our intention to live free from sin. Our purpose as Christians is to express God’s offering of grace through our words, thoughts, actions, and everything that encompasses who we are.

Available Power

The power of electricity is one of the most amazing natural phenomenons harnessed by man. Thales of Miletus, in the 6^th century BC, discovered that rubbing fur on various substances would cause these substances to be attracted to each other. This effect is now known as static electricity. Without Thales, we wouldn’t be able to rub our feet across the carpet and cause tremendous pain with a mere touch. Stephen Gray, in 1729, classified conductors and insulators. Because of Gray, we know what objects we can and can not shove in the nearest power outlet. Despite this discovery, I still remember being a young child, putting a fork in a power outlet just to find out what all the fuss was about. Needless to say, the results were shocking. Benjamin Franklin later discovered the connection between lightning and electricity. Franklin also is considered to be the one to establish the difference between positive and negative electricity, leading the way for various scientists to lay the groundwork for modern electrical technology.

Without electrical technology, we would still be living in dark without lights, telephones, televisions, or computers. Through much research, time, and effort, we have been able to use the seemingly limitless power of electricity to suit our needs. God’s power is incomparable, incomprehensible, and unlimited. God has offered us his power in order to defeat our enemies and gain victory. However, we tend to abuse God’s power. Like a young child jamming a fork in to a power outlet, we toy with God’s power. We attend church and become Christians only to recklessly enter the world without God. Exodus 15:6-8 speaks of God’s power and God’s ability to defeat his opposition.

We've Got Worms

One of my favorite television commercials features a woman asking an awkward question, "Do you have worms?" with a sultry foreign accent. It's one of the most ridiculous things seen on television and repeatedly gets a laugh from me. The worms this spokeswoman is referring to are computer worms, self-replicating programs that harm computer networks. Computer viruses, like biological viruses require a host to survive. Computer viruses need to attach themselves to programs and biological viruses attach themselves to our cells. Viruses replicate themselves, eventually destroying the host and spreading out to cause further destruction. If you've ever had a computer virus infect your computer, it is incredibly frustrating. Programs cease functioning, important files are lost, and large amounts of money and time are spent on recovery and prevention. Despite the ever-growing problem of these internet assassins, viruses are not too difficult to avoid. One merely needs to install anti-virus software and avoid questionable programs.
The problem of sin is not too different from the dilemma of viruses. Sin, if we allow it, enters our lives and eventually tears us apart. It might start with a relatively unnoticeable offense and become an epidemic. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 tells us that we, as the temple of God, need to separate ourselves from what is unclean. We need to, like an anti-virus program, search for and remove sin from our lives. Without getting rid of every trace of the sinful nature, we will eventually be overcome by it.

Christian Chameleon

One of the most amazing aspects of wild life is the ability several animals have to camouflage themselves. Several birds lay their eggs on the ground, blending in with their surroundings. The female killdeer lays her eggs in gravel scrape and has black, white, and brown markings so that she may be hidden while sitting on the eggs. The bittern not only has vertical stripes to disguise it among reeds, but it actually stretches its neck upwards and sways to imitate reeds when disturbed. The spider crab sticks live sea anemones and sponges to itself to conceal itself within the sea bed. The chameleon can actually alter pigments in its skin to match the color of its surroundings. More astonishing than any of these abilities is man’s capability to reflect the characteristics of his fellow man, despite how these characteristics often conflict with the nature of Christ. I find myself constantly frustrated with how other people, regardless of the efforts of their peers and of Christ himself, remain entrapped in a reflection of worldly standards and practices. I am even more frustrated when I find myself fitting the description of a man living for himself.

Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 5-7 are contrary to what the world offers us. How many of us are salt and light? Do we love our enemies? Do we give to those who are in need? Do we flee from worry? Christianity is important because it is more than a place to hide or a color changing skin. Christianity is significant because it replicates the nature of Christ, an entirely new way of life. We aren’t accomplishing much when we live exactly like the rest of the world. We are merely blending in and heading for destruction.

The Human Show

Have you ever had the eerie feeling that your entire life is being scripted for the amusement of an audience watching your every move? This was the subject of a movie entitled “The Truman Show” in which the protagonist’s life was owned by a television station and broadcasted to the world. The island town in which he lived was an enormous stage, littered with cameras and featuring actors that became Truman’s family, friends, and acquaintances. Truman is placated for most of his life through careful planning and kept on the island through an induced fear of water. I have felt like my own life is a sitcom as some of the situations I’ve been involved in seem too ridiculous to be pure coincidence. In reality, God has given us the amazing and often dangerous gift of free will. James 4:17 reminds us that we sin through making a choice not to do good things.

Consider how your life would be viewed by a television audience. Would they be disgusted by your sinful acts or inspired by your sacrifices for others? Would the world see a reflection of itself or the image of Christ in you? We need to remember that sin isn’t simply wrong when someone catches us in it. Matthew 7:16-18 states that we are known by our fruit. If our lives are entrapped in sin, the world will know it. Even if we hide it well, God knows our every step. Our own “Truman Show” should be a life lived for God.