Father, some things are lying heavy on my heart today that I cannot shirk. I must address them head-on. I pray for wisdom – not mine, Father, but Yours. Your love and wisdom must prevail, or all could be lost. Amen.
2 Corinthians 1:1-2 (<<click here to read the passage)
One winter in high school, I got it in my head to clear off an empty lot behind our home. I was young and relatively ignorant when it came to poison ivy. My thoughts were, no leaves, no problem! WRONG! I had such a bad reaction that I ended up having to get a shot to get it taken care of!
The problem with poison ivy is that the plant’s oil—found in its leaves, stems, roots, fruit, or sap—is like grease. Think of the grease you would use to lubricate a piece of equipment. It’s very hard to get off of your hands. At least you can see grease. Poison ivy oil is clear…you can’t really see it or even feel it!
In recent years, I learned that the only way to get it off is to scrub it with a cloth in warm, soapy water and then rinse it off—not just once but three consecutive times, getting in all the nooks and crannies. Scrub between your fingers, too. It takes a lot of concentrated effort.
Sin is a lot like poison ivy oil. If we come in contact with it, it will impact us – no one is immune. But the thing is…we cannot get rid of it. No matter what we do, in and of ourselves, we are incapable of ridding ourselves of its stain and ultimate penalty…death. Only by acknowledging Jesus’ substitutionary sacrifice, admitting our wrongdoing, and accepting His free gift of salvation can we be made whole. That is the only way out…period.
Given the devastating effects of sin, it’s baffling why we persist in its embrace! Yet, that’s our recurring pattern, a cycle we seem unable to break.
Even the church is not exempt. Today’s text is the beginning of what is, in actuality, the fourth letter (according to theologians) that Paul wrote to the struggling church in Corinth. The Good News of Jesus touched and changed so many lives, but sin was everywhere!
The city [of Corinth] was a flourishing trade center because of its seaport. With the thousands of merchants and sailors who disembarked there each year, it had developed a reputation as one of the most immoral cities in the ancient world.
Paul founded the church in Corinth on his second missionary journey (Acts 18:1ff). After that, he wrote 1 Corinthians to address divisions in the church. When his advice was not taken, and their problems weren’t solved, Paul visited Corinth a second time. That visit was painful both for Paul and for the church (2:1).*
Our world is no different today. We, as individuals and even the church, struggle with keeping ourselves separated from sin. Jesus is eager to help us fight the battles, but for many, it’s just easier to ignore His wisdom and go it alone, with sin rearing its ugly head along the way.
Lord Jesus, may we be diligent in daily giving ourselves over to You and Your control. That is the only path to victory!
*Life Application Bible
Apr 9th, 2024, Tues, 12:37 pm
