Okay...so I'm a little ashamed to admit this, but on the first of this month I had my first dentist appointment in literally years. It would shame me far too greatly to state the exact number of years. Sadly, the only real reason that I even made the appointment is that I had a hole in a tooth. A big 'ol hole! It was awful...I had sensitivity to cold, heat, sweet...everything.
Initially, I noticed pain. Then I felt a little hole...but I did nothing. Shortly after, the hole got bigger. Finally, I couldn't bear it any longer and I had to see a professional.
I tell you this embarrassing and frankly disgusting story to say this: during the time that the hole in my tooth was festering (for lack of a better word), I received multiple compliments on my beautiful teeth and gorgeous smile. Imagine that! I had a tooth literally dying with decay, but I was being complimented. People could see the outer enamel of my teeth, but not the decay that was killing it.
It made me think of the words of our Saviour when He called the scribes and Pharisees "white-washed" sepulchres. They gleam and shine on the outside, but their insides were full of dead men's bones, i.e. the decay of sin.
Too often we as Christians, especially those of us who were born on the altar (so to speak), know how to dress ourselves up to look the part. We know just what clothes and hat and hairstyle make us look more holy. We know the Christian buzz words to say. We know all the tricks of the trade, but inside we are full of the decay of an unsurrendered life. It is too inconvenient to totally surrender. It might cost us more than we are willing to pay.
But what cost is too great in light of the sacrifice Christ Himself made on Calvary? Tomorrow is Good Friday and even now I can't help but think about Christ's obedience even unto death. I can't help but think of how He came so far from glory, walked this earth and then went to the cross of a rotten sinner such as myself....and did so willingly.
Is there an area in your life that looks good to those of us who can only see the surface, but in reality is decaying? If so, make an appoint with the Almighty and get it fixed right away.
Initially, I noticed pain. Then I felt a little hole...but I did nothing. Shortly after, the hole got bigger. Finally, I couldn't bear it any longer and I had to see a professional.
I tell you this embarrassing and frankly disgusting story to say this: during the time that the hole in my tooth was festering (for lack of a better word), I received multiple compliments on my beautiful teeth and gorgeous smile. Imagine that! I had a tooth literally dying with decay, but I was being complimented. People could see the outer enamel of my teeth, but not the decay that was killing it.
It made me think of the words of our Saviour when He called the scribes and Pharisees "white-washed" sepulchres. They gleam and shine on the outside, but their insides were full of dead men's bones, i.e. the decay of sin.
Too often we as Christians, especially those of us who were born on the altar (so to speak), know how to dress ourselves up to look the part. We know just what clothes and hat and hairstyle make us look more holy. We know the Christian buzz words to say. We know all the tricks of the trade, but inside we are full of the decay of an unsurrendered life. It is too inconvenient to totally surrender. It might cost us more than we are willing to pay.
But what cost is too great in light of the sacrifice Christ Himself made on Calvary? Tomorrow is Good Friday and even now I can't help but think about Christ's obedience even unto death. I can't help but think of how He came so far from glory, walked this earth and then went to the cross of a rotten sinner such as myself....and did so willingly.
Is there an area in your life that looks good to those of us who can only see the surface, but in reality is decaying? If so, make an appoint with the Almighty and get it fixed right away.
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