Photo Credit: jeepersmedia on flickr
I stole a pack of Big League Chew when I was 8 years old. In my defense, it was the grape flavor (especially hard to find at the time). Before my dad made me confess to the clerk at the convenience store, I had to spit out the big wad of gum in my mouth. Which was really fine with me because by the time we got back to the store, the flavor was gone and started to hurt my jaw. After a few minutes, that stuff was like chewing glue!
Sin is like that; it tastes sweet at first, but after a while it causes pain.
What’s happening in your life right now? Is it chaos? Is it troubled? Usually, when we get comfortable with our lives and our surroundings, we get complacent. Numbness settles in. We forget whom to love and why. We keep chewing….and the flavor runs out.
The beauty of following Jesus is that grace is extended to us; grace that comes from God.
So can I just say something plainly to you? Stop winking at sin as if it’s no big deal. Allow the grace of God to wash over you and forgive you of your sin.
Every time I buy Big League Chew now I am reminded of that moment in life. My father never stopped loving me after this life lesson. From smelling the grape flavor that filled the air in our minivan to making me confess; he never stopped loving me.
God has never stopped loving you either. Come back to Him.
Matt
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. – Romans 5:1-2
Matt Hastings lives with his wife Keri and their five children in Tullahoma, Tennessee. He is the pastor of the Estill Springs Church of the Nazarene. [Editor’s Note: Matt has graciously allowed us to republish his weekly email devotionals on our site for our readers.]