God Makes Us New

Mark 4:7 – Some of the seed fell among thorn bushes, which grew up and choked the plants, and they didn't bear grain. (GNB)

Have you ever let candle wax build up on anything for a long time? I tried cleaning up a large build-up of wax from my candle extinguisher. It was easy to let the wax build up, just like it is easy to let sin build up. If I do not pay attention to small sins, I will likely have a larger problem on my hands later.

Tonight I cleaned the wax layer by layer until I could see the brass finish again on the candle extinguisher. While I was chipping away at the wax, I thought about how God reveals sin a little at a time. We deal with one layer of sinfulness only to discover another and another. God removes our sin as we confess it; then he cleanses us and heals us.

It may take a long time for this work to be accomplished. When we confess our sin and allow God to remove it, we can be remade in God's image.

Prayer: Loving God, thank you that you reveal our sin bit by bit so that we do not become overwhelmed and discouraged by our sinful nature. Rather we are encouraged that you are removing our sin, and helping us to grow in faith and become who you intend us to be. In Jesus' name. Amen.