Of Sand and Sin

While on vacation, I visited a few beaches. It was during my last visit to the beach, prior to vacation ending, that God revealed something to me about sin and sand. In preparation to go to the beach, I took a pair of swim shoes and a pair of flip flops. My intention was to wear the swim shoes in the sand and ocean. Prior to getting back into the vehicle, I would erase all signs of sand from my feet and put on the clean pair of flip flops.

Arriving back home, I was probably the first person to hit the shower. I was surprised to find sand in places that did not "touch" the sand. I NEVER sat down in the sand...not even on a towel or chair, but I found sand in my swimsuit bottoms! Me, being from the midwest and unfamiliar with beaches (and sand) had NO IDEA the sand would follow me home in hidden places. Isn't that just like sin? You think you've gotten away with something only to find remnants of the sin that has not only followed you to your destination but has found places to hide.

To further the analogy, even after leaving vacation and flying 1,650 miles back home, I STILL found sand. In my rush to pack for my early morning flight, I neglected to wash off those swim shoes. I not only brought back the sand from the beach, but I brought back the salty sea water as well; and furthermore, the "sand" is not only made up of grains of rocks and minerals but bits of seashells, turtle shells, glass, and plastic.  Have you ever noticed that when you sin, it's usually a variety of sins together? With the sin comes others like, pride, murder, hate, envy, lying, discord, etc. Now, the sand can be washed away (eventually) with water, however, ONLY the Blood of Jesus can completely wash away sin and all its traces. Trying to live or function amongst sand AND sin can be uncomfortable to the point of pain. We, Believers in Jesus Christ don't have to. For as much as is possible, leave the sand at the beach and give sin no place in your life.

"But if we [really] are living and walking in the Light, as He [Himself] is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses (removes) us from all sin..." 1 John 1:7 (AMP)

"So repent (change your mind and purpose); turn around and return [to God], that your sins may be erased (blotted out, wiped clean), that times of refreshing (of recovering from the effects of heat, of reviving with fresh air) may come from the presence of the Lord;" Acts 3:19 (AMP)